Aaro Hellaakoski

Aaro Hellaakoski (June 22, 1893 – November 23, 1952) was a Finnish poet whose work includes some of the earliest examples of modernism in Finnish literature.

By profession he was a geographer conducting studies in physical geography and geomorphology and working as a school teacher of geography as well as a university teacher.

As a geographer he published scientific studies on topics such as the geological history of lake Saimaa and the geological history of lake Puula and spent his summers in geomorphological fieldwork in the Finnish Lakeland for many years.

Jos on sinua niin kuin minua kiskottu kahtaalle, uuvuksiin, tietänet senkin: uupuenkin alati uudestisynnyttiin

(from 'Pientä kokoa' in the collection Uusi runo, 1943)A race of sucklers, with gnashing jaws, you finished the tale of the dinosaurs, but you'll never rise above the earth as we: you're dust and soil and dearth, an organised pack with famished maws.