May Swenson

May Swenson (1913-1989) born in Logan, Utah. Her parents were Swedish immigrants, and her father was a professor of mechanical engineering at Utah State University. English was her second language, her family having spoken mostly Swedish in their home. In 1935, she relocated to New York, where she remained for most of her adult life. During her time there, she held various positions—including working as a stenographer, a ghostwriter, and a secretary—while writing and publishing her poetry. She published many volumes of poetry, translated Tomas Tranströmer and won many prestigious awards.

Beneath heaven’s vault

remember always walking

through halls of cloud

down aisles of sunlight

or through high hedges

of the green rain

walk in the world

highheeled with swirl of cape

hand at the swordhilt

of your pride

Keep a tall throat

Remain aghast at life

Enter each day

as upon a stage

lighted and waiting

for your step

Take earth for your own large room

and the floor of the earth

carpeted with sunlight

and hung round with silver wind

for your dancing place

— May Swenson from ‘Earth Your Dancing Place’