Welcome to the Website of
Bruno Johannsson.
Let us enter into a productive communication about what must be done to prepare
the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.
This great event is the subject of this website and also of
Come
my first volume of poetry which appeared in 1976 and was translated in 2018 by Hilary Teske, a professional translator.
Here it is:
Let us be calm
in view of things
that are to come!
Let us close our eyes
so that we do not err
and learn to see!
Let us endure
until the great end comes
and the waves subside
before the breeze
from seaside wafting!
Hardcover, 96 pages , ISBN 978-3-740730-659,
Paperback, 96 pages, ISBN 978-3-374074-4496,
eBook, 169 KB, ASIN: B0785GL43K
Available in local and online bookshops.
Prices can Change.
Here are the links to the Amazon sites, which give all details:
Germany
USA
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Bruno+Johannsson%3A+Come&ref=nb_sb_noss
UK
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Johannsson%3A+Come&ref=nb_sb_noss
Canada
https://www.amazon.ca/s?k=Johannsson%3A+Come&ref=nb_sb_nos
Australia
Reviews and Comments
Here is the review of a scientific specialist in German studies who only analysed the German version. This is the translation of the summary of her long review in German:
“A volume of poetry that reveals the beauty of its structure only in a repeated reading but then it should be possible for the attentive reader to find in all these poems his fears as well as his hopes, but also his tasks.
(Prof. Dr. Sigrid Lichtenberger, University of Saarland, Department of German Studies, 1988)
The review of a professional interpreter in both languages:
'Come' has accompanied me for weeks - always also in the cross reading of the German version - and has appealed very strongly. Hilary Reske is a brilliant translator. Her extraordinary linguistic and poetic talent lets the poems often appear less like a translation, but more as a work that could stand on its own. The presentation of the volume is beautifully done: whether it's the format or the way the book feels both on the outside and when leafing through it or the attractive graphic design. The poems will certainly appeal to Christian readers first… Language and images make an exciting and challenging reading and inspire reflection. I would imagine that 'Come' will also appeal to German readers, who enjoy English literature, such as those who enjoy Carol Lynn Pearson's books.
(Jürgen Fischer, Interpreter, Karlsruhe, Germany, 2020)
It is great to have already the review of an American reader:
A reader approaching Bruno Johannson's volume of poems, Come, might do well to consider his own humble photograph on its cover. A placid sea and an ordinary sky soon reveal dynamic and interconnecting forces leaving traces of infinite details in light, shadow, and color on the water and clouds above. The beautiful image may hint at the coming poems ahead; for they too make use of the simplest forms to hint at life's complexities, and our deepest human longing to comprehend what seems to be hopelessly incomprehensible. Mr. Johannsson knows what it is to flounder. And when we read his poems, we can be glad of this, because he speaks for all of us who flounder, taking us to his quiet places, "a little lower than the angels", where confusions are valued and the answers we keep demanding matter less than celebrating the sacred riddles themselves. These verses speak to any heart that longs for a better world and dares to have faith in a spiritual future.
(Darl Mangelson, Chicago Illinois, 2020)
Finally here are some impressions of Carol Lynn Pearson, a well known American LDS writer
Many of the poems are very moving, giving us rich images and ethical imperatives. I appreciated the compassionate clarity in a poem such as “When again?—and the segment:
“Who was not once in danger
of burning out?
But a friend was there
and we glowed once more.”
Some images surprised and intrigued me, such as:
“Daily routine is still groaning
in the woodwork.”
I appreciate the optimism in the lines:
“The new shore shines.
Joyful you go ashore.”
And the reverent celebration of the
“. . . feasts
that outshine
the workday
until it completely melts
in Sunday!”
(Carol Lynn Pearson California, USA, 2021)
Contents
The poems of this volume are specially organized, so that the contents is a poem in itself.
Come
The poem of poems
I
Man by the sea,
Planted by God,
Under the pressure of evil powers,
Sinner and saint,
Drunk with Thy wine,
Amazed,
Starting
Homewards.
When do I rise up?
How can I serve?
A good shepherd I want to be..
Ask
In vain?
Are we sick?
Failed existence?
Life?
What is playing?
Are we rid of God?
Does hope remain?
Will I find again?
Again and again?
What should I do?
Are we at the end?
When at last?
When again?
Who?
Whom does Earth need?
Who knows when?
Who might hinder it?
Say
End of a winter night.
A new day breaks.
In pregnant nights one night will be.
He will help you.
Joyful you go ashore.
Breakthrough successful.
Joy in cell 7 777 777.
Everything gleams.
A breath unites you.
Old days shine in.
Something new is born.
The stadium is already beckoning.
One thing is lacking only.
Endless in the end.
On the high seas Zion will rock.
A blaze is sparked.
A Man will come.
A Prince draws near.
From freedom to freedom.
The Lord will reign.
The very best wine is His blessing divine.
Pray
Beware!
Listen to the signals!
Turn around!
Now!
Come near!
Forward to life!
Roll on!
Labor in small things!
Men ye must be!
Take courage!
Romp around!
Judge yourself and comfort your fellowman!
Sow into this time!
Love in life!
Brave that!
Let your spirit be high!
Be calm and see and endure!
Never leave!
Celebrate the feast!
Reading Samples
Man by the sea
My eyes are built into the sea,
drinking and raining into its expanse.
There is the great yearning
of my heart:
peace and harmony in God.
It embraces all the minor yearnings
of my heart.
It moves me to tears.
My tears roll up my beach
and slide back into the sea.
When at last?
When at last
will flickering flames of war
go out?
When at last
will the trembling quake of Earth
subside?
When at last
will the fat and rich nations
give help?
When at last
will iron gates of prisons
open?
When at last
will the nations
close ranks
for the feast
which only a few
believe in
but yet so many
long for?
Who knows when?
Nobody knows
when the war will start
which will finally end
the quarrels and battles
of men.
Nobody knows
when the gate will open
which will finally lead
to the kingdom and presence
of God.
Nobody knows?
Someone knows .
Oh, my Father!
Thou knowest.
In pregnant nights one night will be
When certain birds are singing
spring is near.
When you awake at night,
because buds are springing,
you remember why:
In pregnant nights
one night there was
in which you leapt
and burst out to day,
shouting wildly
because of lost security.
When certain songs are heard,
Jesus will come.
When you awake at night
because angels chant
you remember why:
In pregnant nights
one night will be
in which you sing
and will be brought to light
smiling sweetly
because of regained security.
On the high seas Zion will rock
The tears of the deeply moved
will flood the deserts of the earth.
The laughter of the freed
will plumb oceans in oases.
The senile elderly
will cherish youthful dreams.
The stormy youth
will cultivate old love.
Zion will rock
on the high seas
as Jesus once did
so gently in Bethlehem
on the day of the Lord.
A man will come
It is good when
the dead bury the dead,
the weak support the weak,
the sick nurse the sick
the cripples drive the cripples
the deaf teach the deaf
the blind lead the blind,
the poor feed the poor.
But a man will come
and many with him
and they are already on the way
and they will be
holy,
loving,
pure,
hardworking,
obedient,
intelligent,
wise
and will make
the poor to abound,
the blind to see,
the deaf to hear,
the lame to walk,
the weak to brim,
the dead to rise
and
the living holy,
the brimming gracious,
the laughing pure,
the walking busy,
the hearing obedient,
the seeing intelligent.
the abounding wise.