Finnish Poet: Paavo Haavikko

The Finnish poet Paavo Haavikko wrote:
"ei Suomi ole mikään kieli, se on tapa istua penkin päässä karvat korvilla"
(Finland does not have any language, it is a way to sit on the bench from hairs in the ear)


Paavo Juhani Haavikko (January 25, 1931 in Helsinki – October 6, 2008) was a Finnish poet and playwright, considered one of the country's most outstanding writers. He was awarded the Neustadt International Prize for Literature in 1984.

Here is an excerpt of a translation of "On Becoming a Forest" into English
http://www.booksfromfinland.fi/2006/06/on-becoming-a-forest/

To begin with, one must note:

There are many wise men. But on the other hand, 

there is not a single insane tree.

Selected Poems by Paavo Haavikko, translated by Anselm Hollo,  published by Carcanet.
ISBN: 978-0856359149