Man of Oslo

By E. L. Younkin

Honorable Mention

Christian—Grandfather—

son of Opland’s

hills,

outcast

for your faith’s choice—

I can only guess

at your heart’s aching

as you stood there,

hat in hand,

as child

after child

left your side,

leaving fjell and fjord

and midnight sun,

sailing out to

new beginnings,

taking on the name

of immigrant

in strange and arid

mountain-lands.

Leaving—

and you remain.

Christian—Grandfather—

Father of my Father’s

Mother—

because of you

I live in this far

place of peace,

Amerika—

and you sleep

still

in Christiania.

Background derived from “The Israel I Love,” by Noel Calef. Used by permission.