In December 2026, Uppsala Books will publish my verse translation of this charming little garden poem by ninth-century monk Walahfrid Strabo. The National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., dedicates part of its garden to Walahfrid, but he’s mostly unknown outside the German-speaking world, and no other English translation of his garden poem is currently in print.

​

I’ve tried to do justice to Walahfrid’s Latin poem with a translation that’s also, I hope, a solid poem in its own right. The introduction to the book provides an overview of Walahfrid’s life in the tumultuous decades after the death of Charlemagne. The back of the book includes my usual profusion of notes for readers who want the full scholarly background and interpretation.

​

Founded by medievalist and J.R.R. Tolkien scholar Tom Shippey, Uppsala publishes guides to medieval legend and myth, translations of important literary works that aren’t otherwise available in English, and other handy books for scholars, students, and non-specialists. I'm delighted that this book has found a home in such an impressive catalog.

​​

The Uppsala Books page for The Little Garden can be found here. This page will be updated with other links and information as the release date draws near.