Touring Hakaniemi/Helsinki

“Good people go to heaven, but bad people go to Hell-sinki?” Gun Roswell

The notorious part of the town
Clad in a glorious white gown
Don’t let the history fool you
Sit down on a bench for the view
Beautiful in summer or winter
No longer a sore splinter
Of the great city of Helsinki

Rage on the Road

“If I put the pedal to the metal I might get there on time”


Friday morning, last work day of the week, tried to avoid the morning rush hour at any cost.

I left earlier than usual and reached the interstate only to realize every other person and their friend had had the same idea.

I was cursing (and shouting) out loud in the car at ‘all the idiots’ hogging the lanes. Divided into two kinds of drivers; the first ones driving no faster than the speed limit, the others cris crossing from lane to lane, speeding then slowing down and speeding up again.

Myself of course being the only driver there, following all the traffic rules and driving in the best possible manner, felt allowed to chastise all the others.

I myself try to pick one lane and stick with it. I like to drive fast, so I usually choose the fastest lane, keep a few car lengths in reserve and get to my destination on time. But, for some reason the overtaking lane was filled with ‘Sunday drivers’ who were in absolutely no hurry getting anywhere particular, but they liked to drive along this lane annoying everyone else.

I have also noticed turning to a side road can be a very difficult maneuver: Starting to slow the car down a half a kilometer before the turn is ahead, leaving the others behind you wonder what is wrong. Do not bother with the turn signal, the other drivers can read your mind and know exactly what you are doing. If they don’t have ESP, shock them by turning the signaling on a few seconds before you actually turn, giving (hopefully) enough time for the drivers behind you to brake!

There is a select group of drivers, who call themselves motorcyclists. Trying to survive your fellow car driving humans is one thing, but another thing is dodging those silvery bullets passing your car in a speed of light blur from only inches away. Driving in the middle in “no-lane” and stopping for no man! I myself am more of a scooter person, driving the grandma version, pink of course, slowly and enjoying the sound of the birds singing.

A recap of how most drivers “read” in to what the usage of the traffic lights means:

* Green: The phone is ringing, stop the car to take the call and for what ever reason, do not look at the rear view mirror!
* Yellow: Accelerate, the light is almost red now, you need to reach the intersection RIGHT NOW!
* Red means GO GO GO!!

“Get off your mobile, keep your eyes on the road and put the pedal to the metal!”

Snow and Ice, everything nice?

“The snow always falls when you are not looking, at least it seems that way, especially when you standing there waiting with a shovel!” Gun Roswell

The snow, does not wait for anyone, rather falls where it may, especially when the weather is too cold for rain or sleet so, without the heat, all of it, landing wherever it may, will freeze, thus laying a protective cover, all over the place. And if you are lucky enough to get a sunny day in your zone, then those frozen particles of snow, will most certainly get to shine and glow in the warm but cold sun shine all day, or rather short day long up in the North.

So, whether you are a fan of the winter, the cold and harsh environment, where all is frozen and covered with snow, then this season will most likely be treating you with all kinds of nice. But if you are a total hater of the cold and cannot stand to even look outside, well, maybe just take one small peak, because no matter hater of lover, this snowy treat of a cover, where the whole place looks like it is frozen in time, will certainly give you a small smile.

Frosted Windows

“It’s that time of the year again, everything getting frozen!” Gun Roswell

Like icing on the cake
Frosting forms on the window
Where ever the wind cold blows
The fragile frozen flakes
Suddenly, without warning, appearing
Before once more disappearing
Shapes for the imagination
The nature’s true creation
Trying them to capture
Preserve for the future
Always fails
The only thing, which remains
Is a tall tale
Without any trail

Frozen creek in winter

“The winter weather is pretty cold so it totally freezes everything solid the moment it comes around” Gun Roswell 

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The winter is taking over, all of nature, the birds, the bees, the trees even the clovers, but that is the design of nature, and you cannot throw against it any hatred, as the cycle is as it’s always been, the warmth followed by ever more cooling temperatures, and now, it is the time of total sub zeros, for a while at least, but this is not the beast to tackle rather let it crackle it’s way, creating frozen moments, monuments even, for whatever reason, maybe simply for us dwellers to enjoy and take those moments, skating along the bed of the creek, as the waters have turned to a sleek mirror of ice, something cool and nice, which is only possible during the time of winter at its coldest, when at its boldest. So, perhaps give a chance to the winter after all, even through the cold, simply dress up warm and you will be safe, for those wintery games, taking some pride with a smile of this gorgeous season, as it much like the others are here for a reason.

Working for free, really?

“Low paid dead end job without any prospects for improvement” Gun Roswell

Each day, slaving away
No thanks, no rewards
Just expected to score
Working for the man
As best as I possibly can
Always stretching, always reaching
Considered the reliable one
Never any time for fun
More was always expected
And doing that your own life neglected
When its finally time for rest
You had done your very best
The walls came up
With a loud puff
You can take the time, but no pay
That is what they strictly said
If you want pleasure
A time for some leisure
Do it on your own dime
Do not waste our time
Alas, I am now broke
Almost having a stroke
There is no winning 
The corporates just keep on stinging
Do you hear me singing
No, never, I think I will give in
Throw in the towel and start walking
The narrow path
How long can it last
After all?

Step into the light

“Shades of grey and then, light – summer is here, right? Not just yet!” Gun Roswell

Living, in the shadows
In all shades of grey
Before going, to the gallows
I need to see, the day

Stepping, into the light
The first time, without a fright
Before entering, the eternal night
I am giving up, the fight

Washing, my face, with rays
Of sun, never seen, in this place
I know, this is, out of grace
Before leaving, to outer space

Stepping, carefully, in and out
Back to the shade, the light so loud
This is how my path was laid
Even if, this, is not what I prayed

If time, once again, me allows
I will remain, a while, in the hollow
Between, light and shadow
Walking the path, so narrow

Bonbons and onions

“Salty and sweet anyone?” Gun Roswell

Bread, made of whole rye
All so healthy, and that’s just fine
Cheese, of the lightest of kind
On top a few onions, and maybe some wine

Food, disappearing off the plate
What was fully stacked has now been ate
If you dared to arrive really late
Then nothing for you, but a hungry state

After all has been consumed
There remains only one more thing to do
When the colour plate forward is brought
Everyone digging in, as it was everything they sought

Bonbons yummy, with liquorice and chocolate hidden inside
Trying them equally for all to divide
But when you think it’s your turn, all but one gone
So, only thing to do, is go and get some more

Windmills

“Producing electricity to one and all – windmills!” Gun Roswell

The tall windmills
Cannot stand still
In a stormy winds

Tethered to the ground
Always, spinning around
So, do not stare too long

Producing energy
For your home electricity
History for the city

Windmills made in three
Overlooking the seas
Never running out of steam

Closed for summer (haiku)

“Open the door please, I want in!” Gun Roswell

A weekend getaway for two 
Stopped by a sign at the door
Closed for summer, go away!