Junantuoman joutsenlaulu
Vastoinkäymiset
multa voimat joivat.
Etelässä
tahdon kuolla.
Sinne en koskaan lennä,
sillä köyhyys on yllä.
© Yelling Rosa
2025-12-29
The Swan Song
Adversity
drank my strength.
In the south
I want to die.
There I will never fly,
Poverty is above
the wings.
© Yelling Rosa
2025-12-29
Background to this poem and drawing
I moved from Helsinki to Tornio in 1977. My girlfriend at the time, later my wife, didn’t like the big city. We decided to move to her hometown. We divorced in 1989. Our only son moved south years ago and eventually ended up in Helsinki.
At first, when I moved here, I always heard that I was a train wreck or a southerner. Fortunately, I have made friends and acquaintances who have never hinted that I am from the south. Perhaps, however, settling here has never taken root in me. I would like to have a burial place in Helsinki, where my old friends, with whom I have kept in touch over the years, and relatives are.
Now I have to move out of the rented apartment I have lived in since 1993. I will definitely find an apartment here somewhere, but the south has been on my mind for some years. Going there has been prevented because it is almost impossible to find a rental apartment there. The desire has been tempered so far by the fact that I have had a secure apartment here. It was a big surprise when the landlord said he would sell the apartment after decades. It is unclear when he will be able to sell this apartment, because the housing market is not very active at the moment.
Now I am wondering whether I should leave immediately or wait for the termination. I have an apartment in mind that I should decide to move to in the next few days. I once read an article that stated that moving is one of the most stressful factors for people. As I recall, it was among the five most stressful, but at that time, the move also involved a change of location.
A surprising year is about to begin, which is not without its problems, as I am already 74 years old. Fortunately, at least I am healthy at the moment, and moving is possible in that sense. Writing poetry and drawing gave me a momentary forgetfulness of this situation.
Still, have a good start to the new year to everyone, and yes, we will somehow get through this. It has always been the case that new situations are terrifying at first. But then you find the strength to face a new challenge.
Ilkka
