Electric Verses

JUKKA KOSKELAINEN (b. 1961) first collection of poems, Kierros (Cycle) was published in 1995. Since that he has published two more, Erään taistelun kuvaus (Description of a Certain Battle, 1997), Niin lavastetaan lännen taivas (Thus We Stage the Western Sky, 2001) and Mitä et sano (2005). In addition to these works he has published a collection of essays and several translations of poems, by Octavio Paz and Paul Celan among others. Koskelainen was awarded Eino Leino Prize in 1992, Kalevi Jäntti Prize in 1995 and Einari Vuorela Prize in 2000.

THE WHIRLING LAYERS OF THE BYGONE

...can't you see the change in the sun,
there are more and more spots, the stone is harder,
the window melts, can't you feel the change on your skin,
the frequency is another,
and ahead there is only sand
thus begins the eternal return:
the trees are collapsing,
the earth goes back to its ancient canyons,
the clay begins to roll again

can't you see: the tuning has altered,
the rays are beating the ground more mercilessly,
when you wake are you the same, are you still
roots and leaves, veins rumbling deep down,
can't you see

Now

A Sketch for Aphoristic Poetry

Nocturnal Prayer

At Dinner Time

now you're here

...can't you see the change in...

From Kierros (The Round), 1995.
Translated by the author, Minna Castrén and Rhea Tregebov.