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18.07.2023
Updated 26.10.2023

10 December 2008

Ode to the Bicycle Bell

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It is said that no other country has praised the bicycle in song, poetry and literature as much as Denmark. This love affair peaked in the 1930's and 1940's. Over at Cycle Chic we have a selection of historical cycling quotes in various posts.

I found this poem and illustration, above, in a poetry collection by Fini Løkke. It's from 'Situations 1965-1969'.

A simple little ode to the bicycle bell. Here's the translation:

the bicycle bell
beams, happy
and round, a little
brain without power:
touch me, please touch
you´re only real
as sound

I would have translated the last bit as
"you only exist
as sound"
but nobody asked me to translate it so I'll get my coat.

More from Løkke Publishing. 

 

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