Sigurdur Pálsson

Wild Youth

Crumbling bread behind the sofa
Plucking the buds from the most optimistic flower
Cursing in church as much as you dare
Making garlands of swearwords in the meadow
Blocking the waterbutt
Darting after the chickens
Throwing rocks into the yard
Pissing on the dog

Then going inside and kissing mother, smiling

Translated from the Icelandic by Bernard Scudder.