On Foot I Had to Walk Through the Solar Systems

by Edith Södergran, translated by Stina Katchadourian

On foot
I had to walk through the solar systems,
before I found the first thread of my red dress.
Already, I sense myself.
Somewhere in space hangs my heart,
sparks fly from it, shaking the air,
to other reckless hearts.

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I wanted to submit this poem, "On Foot I Had to Walk Through the Solar Systems," by Edith Södergran, translated by Stina Katchadourian.  I feel like it has something to say about anyone who has gone through loss, or grief, or any hard transition, including emigrating, and probably can speak to all of us right now who are feeling isolation.

-Ann Brandt, CeleSoirée 2020 Event Committee Member