Saima Harmaja

Saima Harmaja

Saima Rauha Maria Harmaja (May 8, 1913, Helsinki – April 21, 1937) was a Finnish poet and writer. She is known for her tragic life and early death, which are reflected in her sensitive poems.

Quotes

• Nyt varjo vain
  on edessäni elon matka.
  Ja takanain
  on tuskan tie, se jot’ en jatka.

  Mun takanain
  on kevät alla julman kirren.
  Sen elää sain,
  sain kynnykselle suvivirren.

  Sen mukanaan
  vei käsi kallis, kylmentyvä.
  Nyt suven maan
  nään sydämessä hauta syvä.

  • Now but a shade
    ahead on my life’s course will languish.
    Behind is laid
    my now abandoned way of anguish.

    Behind me lies
    the spring beneath its cruel icing.
    It life supplies –
    to summer verses’ door enticing.

    It’s taken me,
    this chilling hand that yet I cherish.
    And now I see
    in summer’s heart that I must perish.

  • A poem from the collection “Hunnutettu” (“Veiled”), translation by Rupert Moreton (1936)