The alley was very narrow, 
and if two men want to go together this way 
they would have to walk in a single file. 
At the end of the single lane reveals the rear 
of the red-painted wooden house which had two windows 
and a kitchen door with a room addition. 
This is Erlendur’s window. 

Up this dark alley: there lay my path 
  many past evenings; 
and if I saw light, it was as if problems and suffering  
  of a whole century had been lifted. 

Here awaited me after troubled days and work 
  — or a journey abroad —  
fulfillment of hope that most people will not experience, 
  to receive from a friend a secure answer, 

It removed all doubt and fear from you 
  That had paused in your mind: 
Every silence gets a sound; every word bears fruit (epli) in it. 
  Which comes from an ancient tree sound. 

There gods and old priests drift in 
  and the goddesses of the lands, 
criminals and children get their cup 
  of the best friend of each man. 

And Steinn Steinar [the poet] read me his poems 
  in a lifeless manner, 
came with freezing hands up the alley, knocked on the door, 
  and drank from God’s coffee cup. 

Oh mild wise eyes, eyes of a horse, 
about a past moment 
this light that burned, it still lights for us 
up this darkened alley.