
Jónas Hallgrímsson
November 16th is Icelandic Language Day / Day of the Icelandic Tongue /Dagur Íslenskrar Tungu.
This is also the birthday of Iceland's National poet, author, and scientist, Jónas Hallgrímsson (1807-1845). He wrote many of Iceland's most beloved poems about the country and the people.

Steeple Rock in Öxnadalur
My common ancestors with Jónas are his great grandparents and my 5th great grandparents from the beautiful Öxnadalur in Eyjafjörður of northern Iceland.
One poem with the English translation:
Hillocks steep and stately stride across the valley. Dimly and sedately dawn begins to rally: sunlight rakes the summits — smoking darkness plummets down into the deep dreaming its green sleep.
Icelandic:
Þar sem háir hólar hálfan dalinn fylla, þar sem hamrahilla hlær við skini sólar árla fyrir óttu enn þá meðan nóttu grundin góða ber græn í faðmi sér. . . .
For more poems and information: Jónas Hallgrímsson in English