Pentti Saarikoski
from Trilogy: Invitation to the Dance
translated by Anselm Hollo

 
VIII
 
 


Workers you who are burdened
you've been deceived
whenever you've been promised
an easier life
it has always meant a heavier burden
wealth had to be accumulated
in order to get rid of the wealthy
this is mumbling
I sat in the taxi on the way home
the day was one to bring Herakleitos to mind
the sun shines on the mountain slope
spattered with snow
the world felt familiar
like an arm on which one has leaned before