Maria Jonsdottir

In Salt Lake City
lived
Maria Jonsdottir of Ompuhjallur
born in the Westmann Islands.

Steinar of Hlidar
who had conversed
with all the world’s kings
met her when she was seventy
disfigured by arthritis
and almost blind
after crossing
the Savage Solitudes.

Poor, blind and bent
she walks the narrow streets
alone, friendless and homeless.

Maria Jonsdottir of Ompuhjallur
you brought up a dozen and more children
and the wind is scattering them now over the earth.

Poor and blind
you don’t complain at time
for you brought them up
with that kind of love
that fears nothing
and envies nothing.

Traslated from Spanish by Rowena Hill