yksinäisyys ei tule yksin--
toinen tie tietoinen vie toisen nytkin,
nytkyen
itkien
onnisurusta,
syötävä yö joka lyö vasten sydämen ikkunaa;
tyhjässä autuustyrmässä paistaa ja tihkuttaa,
merkkinä tunnesfäärien kulusta.

taivas taivastelee taitteluitamme, hytkyviä proteiineja--
taisteluitamme, gobeliineja
valaisemassa
nelisen miljardia seinää
jotka kaatuu, kaatuu, kaatuu--

tutkin silmättä tuijottaen jokaista puuta, pitkää heinää.
teen sen itsekseni, sen tullakseen itsekseni.
kukin kukinta tiivistyy tiivistymistään peiliksi, mieleksi
(mahdottoman pieneksi)

Kaatuu

A Blythe Hogmanay tae ye! // Happy New Year! 🥳🙏✨️

I tried my hand & voice at Auld Lang Syne in original Scots (by the great Robert Burns, c. 1788).

I have a deep emotional connection to this song and its melody, as I'm sure many others do as well, and I want to celebrate its warmth, compassion, wisdom, and good cheer with you all <3

*

As we know, Scots is a language variety that is distinct from, though directly related to Modern English. English versions of the song are also well-known; they usually anglicize the Scots expressions (e.g. braes = slopes; gowans = daisies; etc.): https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/misc-traditional/auld-lang-syne-chords-771119

I think Scots contains an incredible wealth and power of soul in its dancing phonetic crags and crevices, and its multicultural vocabulary. Many Scots cultural traditions are ancient. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hogmanay 

I have a great deal of respect and admiration for all languages in the world, but especially ones spoken among diasporas, by mobile or indigenous peoples, or by other representatives of minority cultures.

*

Robert Burns' poem "Auld Lang Syne", and the world-famous sung versions based on it, are about time and reminiscence. Sentimental and confessional remembrance is keenly present throughout all human art, because it speaks to our processes of integrating our psychosocial human experiences and memories with the rhythm of nature and the universe. I believe we need the heartfelt magical energy that transforms nostalgia and even conservatism into a resolute metamodern mindset -- and much more still -- to find the frame of mind necessary to repair the many lost natural connections that we must reattach in our minds and in our civilization, in order to actually let life live & flourish sustainably in this here 3-dimensional biosphere of a planet.

There are many things on my list of accomplishments that I want to see our civilization check off and say: "About time!"

Transformation is nigh, and we do well to remember who we truly are and may become in this time, as individual souls as well as a global race of creatures who build their surroundings out of stories made of their memories -- copies of copies of copies morphing in our imaginations, "mixing memory and desire" (Eliot), and also fact and fiction.

May all energies throughout our human story resonate in us, to help us notice the thresholds before us, when we find the courage to enter through them.

Ihanaa uutta vuotta! ^_^

☮️💖🕉💗☯️

AULD LANG SYNE

Robert Burns

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne!

     Chorus:
For auld lang syne, my jo,
     For auld lang syne.
     We’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet,
     For auld lang syne.

And surely ye'll be your pint stowp!
And surely I’ll be mine!
And we’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.

     Chorus

We twa hae run about the braes,
And pou’d the gowans fine;
But we’ve wander’d mony a weary fit,
Sin’ auld lang syne.

     Chorus

We twa hae paidl’d in the burn,
Frae morning sun till dine;
But seas between us braid hae roar’d
Sin’ auld lang syne.

     Chorus

And there’s a hand, my trusty fere!
And gie’s a hand o’ thine!
And we’ll tak a right gude-willie waught,
For auld lang syne.

     Chorus

Auld Lang Syne (trad. Scots cover)

This is a spoken self-portrait. A manifestation of the mind, "my" mind, as a hyperspatial persona -- a spell and a prayer, reaching out and in.

Written by hand and recorded on Samsung S7 voice recorder at lake Lippajärvi, Espoo, Southern Finland on Tuesday 3 October, 2023.

to describe a scribe {v2 raw} (spoken word)

This is an ancient Fenno-Ugric spell to ward off pain ("kipusanoja"). It was recorded around Eastern Finland and other nearby regions, and anthologized in 1880 (Suomen Kansan Muinaisia Loitsurunoja). It is safe to say the spell/rune/chant/poem itself is much older. (I will be working on an English raw translation, the first of many...)

This is my improvised rendition of the words below; as a prayer of peace and the cessation of pain, for everyone everywhere; as a healing, mysterious, and even playful chant for any friend and any stranger who is suffering. May you all feel relief from your trials and burdens, and may your pain be cast out as grace  ❄️❤️‍🔥❄️

*

<<Kattila on Kivuttarella,
pata Väinön tyttärellä,
jolla keittävi kipuja
keskellä Kipumäkeä,
Kipuvaaran kukkulalla.
Kylä on keskellä mäkeä,
keto keskellä kyleä,
lähe keskellä ketoa,
kivi keskellä lähettä,
siinä reikeä yheksän,
jotk' on väätty vääntiällä,
puhkaistu puraisimella.
Se on reikä keskimäinen,
yheksän sylen syvyinen,
siihen kivut kiskotahan,
tuskat tuimat tungetahan,
pahat vammat vallatahan,
pakkopäivät painetahan,
öin yrittämättömiksi,
päivin pääsemättömiksi.>>

Kattila on Kivuttarella (SKMLR 10 e)

This is a recording of me playing guitar and singing a Finnish spell (Fin. loitsu) from some hundreds of years ago, found in an anthology of spell-poems from 1880.

It's called "Words of Soothing" (or literally a balm or salve). For me, it's about the cosmic miracle of our planet, and the power of physical and mental healing. Everyone on Earth needs the chance to heal, within their souls, so we can stop killing each other and assaulting the spirit of Nature.

The words are beautiful, and very shamanistic-mythological: a star falls from the heavens, a hare takes it and runs into a lake with it, and a mallard eats it up; the star then turns into a clutch of eggs, which contain healing for the whole world ("nine balms, eight salves" or "ways of seeing").

Hope you enjoy this very impromptu track, and the ancient words of yore.

Image: detail of "Exotic Particles", acrylic on canvas, 2021; by me.

***

Voiteen sanat

Kiiti tähti taivahasta,
puhki pilvien putosi,
lenti selkähän jäniksen;
jänis juoksutti jokehen,
vieritti tähen vetehen,
sorsa sen ve'estä appoi,
valahutti vatsahansa;
siitä se muniksi muuttui,
yheksiksi voitehiksi,
kaheksiksi katsehiksi,
joilla vammat voiellahan,
ja pahat parannetahan.

Voiteen sanat (SKMLR 91.q)

"tuntuu
kuin joku liikkuisi
lähelläni"

*

Äänitin nämä viisi kappaletta kännykälläni kotirannallani Espoon Lippajärvellä kesäpäivänseisauksena 2024.

Suviyö saattoi minut yksin veden luokse kahlaamaan, tanssimaan, laulamaan ja ihmettymään. Kannen valokuvan otin samana yönä samaiselta rannalta.

Kaikki äänitteet ovat improvisoituja sisällöltään ja sanoituksiltaan. Mukana on mm. kalimban kilinää, järviveden lotinaa, männynrungon rummutusta, beatboxia, kurkkulaulua ja ripaus psykedeelistä amatöörifolkia.

Tovereinani keskikesän karkelossa oli monia eliölajeja: fauna, flora, fungi. Koivut katsoivat silmistäni ja hiljaa halasivat. Vesisiipat pensselöivät hämärässä hehkuvaa rantaa. Lakki minulla oli hentona päässä.

Olotilani oli raukea, värisevä ja kokonaisvaltainen. En hävennyt tai arastellut, kuten niin usein musiikkini ja laulujeni kanssa tapahtuu (ja toki nyt julkaistessa jännitän). Minussa aukesi odottava kanava. Seuraavaksi kehdannenkin eepeyttää taas pitkästä aikaa runojani, ja sävellellä/sanoitella lisää lauluja ja loitsuja.

Raakana nämä raidat tulivat, ja raakoina ne esittelen; kehityksen ja kukinnan varaa on paljon. Hetken ainutlaatuisuus sai minut nämä yhteen nivomaan. Erääseen äänitteeseen (#4) tuli aivan sattumalta mukaan myös yöllä vastarannalta hilijaiselle järvelle ammutun ilotulitusraketin kaikuva paukahdus, ja hätkähtäneiden lokkien kirkunaa.

Toivottavasti löydätte näistä hatarahkoista juolahduksista voimaa ja lohtua, tai ainakin tunnelmaa. Olkoon kaikki juhannuksenne taianomaisia!

*

1. kalimba {instru}
2. liikkuisi {lauludemo}
3. lepakot {lauludemo, a cappella}
4. raketti {kurkkulaulu, a cappella}
5. outrhythm {instru}

*

vox, kalimba, säv./san. © Kasper Salonen, 2024

outrhythm

raketti

lepakot {a.c. demo}

liikkuisi {demo}

kalimba

This EP is my first recording of my spoken word poetry. I'll be working on a full-length collaborative poetry album in 2015, with featured background music and beats by various Finnish musicians and performing artists. Three of the five tracks on this short recording include backing tracks: by electronic musician and spoken word artist Juho Kuusi on 02; by MC and producer Kesäsetä on 03; and by singer-songwriter Kasper (Soundcloud: kasperhelsinki) on 04. The EP was produced by Time Piipponen of Discotech Ltd.

Glass Heroes

"the crackle of these seasons is the thrum that through the green fuse drives the flower of the sun"
---
This EP is my first recording of my spoken word poetry. I'll be working on a full-length collaborative poetry album in early 2018, with featured background music and beats by various Finnish musicians and performing artists. Three of the five tracks on this short recording include accompaniment: by electronic musician and spoken word artist Juho Kuusi on 02; by MC and producer APROX. on 03; and by singer-songwriter Kasper (Soundcloud: kasperhelsinki) on 04. The EP was produced by Time Piipponen of Discotech Audio Workshop.

Power Animal

This EP is my first recording of my spoken word poetry. I'll be working on a full-length collaborative poetry album in 2016, with featured background music and beats by various Finnish musicians and performing artists. Three of the five tracks on this short recording include backing tracks: by electronic musician and spoken word artist Juho Kuusi on 02; by MC and producer APROX. on 03; and by singer-songwriter Kasper (Soundcloud: kasperhelsinki) on 04. The EP was produced by Time Piipponen of Discotech Audio Workshop.

Coming Up for Air

"the principle to be imparted and taken to heart is that we all give and receive"
---
This EP is my first recording of my spoken word poetry. I'll be working on a full-length collaborative poetry album in early 2018, with featured background music and beats by various Finnish musicians and performing artists. Three of the five tracks on this short recording include accompaniment: by electronic musician and spoken word artist Juho Kuusi on 02; by MC and producer APROX. on 03; and by singer-songwriter Kasper (Soundcloud: kasperhelsinki) on 04. The EP was produced by Time Piipponen of Discotech Audio Workshop.

Puzzle Pieces

Kaksi tekstiä Suomen Kansan Muinaisia Loitsurunoja -kokoelmasta (SKS, 1880). Äänitetty Lippajärven pohjoisrannalla 15.2.2025. Julkaistu Kalevalan päivänä 28.2.2025.

"Perustussanat" (SKMLR 1.k) on sakraali avunpyyntö ja väen nostatus. "Sodassa" (SKMLR 53.a) on nimenmukaisesti rukous luonnonvoimille sotaa vastaan ja kaiken sodankäynnin sekä kansanmurhien pysäyttämiseksi. Lopuksi improvisoitua sanelmaa.

Nämä monisatavuotiaat loitsut kantavat mukanaan maagista merkitystä ja voimakasta toivoa. Niissä saatetaan puhua niin "kaikkivaltiaasta jumalasta" kuin "haltijoistakin", mutta ne eivät ole tarkoitettu varsinaisesti ns. uskonnolliseksi esitykseksi. Olen itse uskonnoton (metamoderni animisti, tarkemmin) enkä kannata mitään dogmeja, vaan eläydyn omin avuin kaikenlaisiin minua puhutteleviin sanataiteen ja metafysiikan perinteisiin.

Suomalais-ugrilaiset traditiot ovat varsinkin sydäntäni lähellä. Löydän loitsurunoista jatkuvasti ammennettavaa (ja kirjoitan myös omiani), ilman että lukitsisin identiteettini juuri tietynlaiseen lokeroon. Pyhyyttä on aistittavissa yltympäriinsä, luonnossa ja itsessämme, monimuotoisia universaaleja väyliä pitkin.

Toivon että nämä sanat ja äänet tuovat sinulle tuntemuksia jos jonkinlaisia. Tarvitsemme kaikki keinot käyttöön selvitäksemme sivilisaation luhistumisen läpi, sekä toistemme että luonnon tukea ja turvaa.

Rakkautta ja vapautusta!


***

Two texts from the collection "Ancient Finnish Spell-poems" (SKS, 1880). Recorded on the north shore of Lippajärvi lake on 15 Feb, 2025. Published on National Kalevala Day 28 Feb, 2025.

"Foundation Words" (SKMLR 1.k) is a sacred plea for help and a raising of one's spirits. "In War" (SKMLR 53.a) is accordingly a spell against warfare and genocide everywhere. Improvised words at the end.

These poems are hundreds of years old, and they carry magical meaning and powerful hope. They may mention "almighty god" just as well as "elves and spirits", but they are not intended as a strictly so-called religious performance. I do not ascribe to any specific religion (I rather lean toward metamodernism and animism) nor to dogma of any sort. Instead I immerse myself in all sorts of verbal art and metaphysical traditions, on my own terms.

Finno-Ugric heritage is especially close to my heart. In spell-poems I constantly discover much to draw from (and I write them myself), without locking myself into any rigid identity. Holiness is something to be sensed everywhere, in nature and in ourselves, through diverse universal avenues.

I hope these words and sounds awaken feelings in you, of all sorts. We need to foster and utilize all kinds of methods in order to survive this era of collapse, and the power of nature as well as each other.

Love and liberation!

SKMLR: Perustussanat (1.k) & Sodassa (53.a)

"Sheel sheel ya Ajmali" (Carry, carry O camel driver)

Lyrics and English translation: Zaid Hilal
Song version: Ahmed "Muin" Abu Amsha
Vocals, guitar, and cover art: Kasper Salonen

*****

This Arabic song, sung my Ahmed Abu Amsha and his young students (Gaza Birds Singing), came to my attention earlier this year. It has shaken me to my core; human voices from the rubble, harmonizing with israel's deadly drones. The beauty and power of Gaza's beloved and besieged souls moves me daily.

I do not speak Arabic, nor am I a Muslim or follower of any explicit tradition; but I admire the language and Islamic culture greatly. I was inspired to sing this song of comfort and healing as a testament to the holy promise of a free Palestine, and the breaking of shackles everywhere.

My deep thanks to my dear friend and comrade in poetry, Ahmed Zaidan, who helped me with the pronunciation and transliteration, as I rehearsed this song over and over by listening to Abu Amsha and the choir of children who have made "Sheel sheel" a symbol of resistance, relief, and freedom all over the world.

Palestine will rise from woe and occupation. The native land of Jesus of Nazareth, who used his blessed voice and earthly incarnation to oppose oppression, will nourish all the Earth.

Sacred peace and steadfast liberation to all this hallowed season.

*****

Sheel sheel, al jmmäli sheel ya ḥoatṭak ballah!

Lift it, lift it, upon the camel caravans - lift it, may God protect you!


Dm el shahiid mʿaṭṭar bel-heel, leel ya leelo

The martyr’s blood is perfumed with cardamon, oh night, oh the martyr’s night!


Weel weel ‘al-dalemi, weel weelo men Allah

Woe to the oppressor - woe to him, woe to him from God!


La asahar ‘ala nejoom el-leel ana nadilu

I stay awake under the stars of the night to comfort him (the martyr)

Sheel sheel ya Ajmali (Arabic cover)

horisontti on koskettavan kaukana, käden ulottuvilla
jokainen tuleva ulottuvuus.
astun ajatusten rannalta läpi tuuleen, jota kuljettaa kasvava aurinko—

hiekkaan haudatut haaveet kaivetaan elämän palvelukseen taas
ennen hirmumyrskyn ruoppaavaa kitaa,
sotakirveet sulatetaan ääniraudoiksi ja tuulikellot kilisevät harmoniaa.
kaukokaipuu ei liukene vaan syvenee visioksi—

kaksimastoinen tipahtaa maailmasta näkymättömiin ja muutun katveessa purjeeksi,
kuljettavaksi tuulivoimaksi puhaltamaan tyhjiltä dyyneiltä.

ajan ulkopuolella, korkealla ja syvällä,
kohtaamme tyyninä omat itsemme, unen pelastuksessa
kammoamme ja rakastamme mahdotonta, kampeamme itsemme näköpiirimme yli
seuraavaan tuntemattomaan, kohtaamme toivomme pohjamudat päivittäin—

heräämme aikaan takaisin tietämättä sen kieltä, näemme toisemme huulillamme,
on hieraistava silmiä ja soitettava uusin sormin omaa mieltä,
jota virittää vuoroveden kaukainen saate:
kuusta langennut yksisuuntainen viesti, lumisade palmujen alla.

sanotaan tässä kaikki mitä voidaan, sitten tunnetaan toisemme hiljaa.
olkoon yhteinen unemme kaukaisen rannan yllä pilviä puhkova masto.
---
san. Kasper Salonen (Kiertoreittejä, Enostone 2020 TBA)
säv. sov. + kansitaide Mariam Junolainen
rec/mix Olli Puolakka/Huopatossu 2020

Kaukoranta

This is a brief reading of the four-panel comic strip created by Estefanía Irene, an artist who goes by @worry__lines. A friend of mine shared the strip on FB and I found it hilarious AND happened to have an identical mic setup at home so I went ahead and dubbed it :D I do not own the comic, created by @worry__lines as mentioned; I'm simply an immediate fan. Find their work here: https://linktr.ee/worry__lines

All four panels feature a humanoid figure with headphones in front of a microphone. The panels read:

1.
Yooou're listening to Internal Monologue F.M. with me, DJ Subconscious...

2.
Playing all your thoughts, non-stop, uninterrupted, 24 hours a day.

3.
From classics like "Why did I say that?" and golden oldies like "Am I a horrible person?"

4.
to today's hottest hits: "What the hell am I doing with my life?" and "Am I hungry or am I bored?" Stay tuned.

"Internal Monologue F.M." by @worry__lines

Track 05 on Ihmeauto's Pimento ("Darkness") EP.
Poem/Spoken word: Kasper Salonen
Production: Ville Lindfors
Artwork: Jussi Karro

I wrote this poem (the title means "last light") based on the music, with the themes of relinquishing and emergence in mind. All vocalizations by yours truly. The rest of the songs are amazing too, quantum diamonds of sound ❤

Ihmeauto (feat. Kasper Salonen) - Viimeinen Valo

Spoken word (ENG/FIN) from one fractal mind to all others. With and without musical rhythmscapes. Worlds in words.
--
Spoken word -runoutta suomeksi ja englanniksi, mieleni siimeksestä mieliinne. A cappella + äänimaailmojen maisemilla. Tarmoa, luontoa, armon muotoja.

Kasper Salonen

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