for there the good season had found its retreat
and freedom and compassion - all that is best.

They set no sail, but thought high,
by the ocean they dreaming stood,
as the sun slid into the lowest west
in the evening's blue-misted spring dusk,
then hope and desire glide out with the breeze
on the still-blank, sun gilt, wide armed sea.

Though oceans still flood, that separate lands,
the passage across is effortless.
And our Markland, Canada, its genius and care
the world held out to you over the sea.
To the Greeks you could only appear in a poem -
but to Icelandic sea kings you gave yourself first.

Still human hope turns its tired eyes
from the east, to dream about you -
you proved good to all, who loved you fervently,
who possess here rapture and home.
And all with you is fulfilled and able to root
which the unquiet spirit has dreamed best.

~ Stephan Stephansson

What makes this poem about Canada even more intriguing is the fact that its writer, Stephan Stephansson, was actually a Western Icelander, born in the mid-1800s.  The poet moved to Wisconsin, USA when he was just 19 years old and then went on to live and farm in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada.  He didn’t return to Iceland until he was 64.

The poet was self-taught and, being an insomniac, often wrote through the night until dawn.  These poems were published in a 6-volume book called Andvökur, meaning “Sleepless Nights”. 

Writing only in Icelandic, Stephansson had a great impact on his former homeland.  The photo above shows visitors to the monument to Stephansson in Iceland, which was erected in 1953 to mark the centenary of his birth.

Stephansson was also greatly inspired by the works of Ralph Waldo Emerson.  One of the things they both believed in was equal rights for men and women.

The poet is believed to be one of Iceland’s greatest “men of letters” and his home in Alberta is now a historic site, which has been restored and is open to the public.