Joya: AiR / Pauliina Haasjoki / FIN

For fourteen days, from my arrival to my departure in Simon's jeep, I did not leave the valley. I saw Velez Blanco and the slopes, fields, shapes winding, rising and falling on the way over, then I saw them again in reverse. In between I saw only what was gathered into the valley bowl. This consistency only hit me afterwards: this staying put. Day trips are fun, sure, to take a break, to stretch the connection, snap it, return to it, but that was not what I did. I scraped the surface, a little bit, then more, felt smoothnes and sharpness, detail, vast patterns (like clouds, like celestial bodies). I could have kept on doing that. Crouching on dry powdery clay, holding an almond against a flat rock and knocking it with another, picking up the almond pieces from the clay rubble with my dusty fingers. Observing a dog's movement, becoming aware of the dog's observing gaze, her intention: to communicate, to be let in. Stealthily leaving my shutters open so I could be awaken by dawn. My book Valenssi, whom I tend to personify in these last stages, lingered in sunny or sheltered spots much like I did, moved a little and ate heartily. It was a good match. I'm happy I stayed put.

Pauliina Haasjoki

Pauliina Maarit Haasjoki was born in Ulvila, Western Finland. Now resides and works in Helsinki as a full time writer.
PhD in Finnish literature, University of Turku, 2012
Member of independent publishing co-op Poesia
Member of the Union of Finnish Writers

Author of ten books of poetry, the latest Nausikaa (2022), Promessa (2019) and Planeetta (2016) all published by Otava (https://otava.fi/kirjat/nausikaa/) Author of essay book Himmeä sininen piste (2019), published by Poesia (https://poesia.fi/teokset/himmea-sininen-piste/)

Upcoming: Filigraania, a chapbook, Poesiavihkot (November 2023)

Other recent work and collaborations include
Lomittaislaulu ("Interlock Song"), a text and movement performance with Pääsky Miettinen, Turku Poetry Week (Nov 2023)
Agreements (2022), a text commisioned by artist duo IC 98 for their site spesific work Luonnotuhopuisto ("Park of Natural Destruction", an abandoned iron mine)

Simon Beckmann3 June 2024