What I Remember about Helsinki

The shallow harbour
which meant we had to drop anchor
some way out in the bay.
That fabulous sunset over the city
seen through a porthole
the joy of getting to know a street plan
of walking on solid ground
next day.
 
Sisu or the art of putting on a show of courage
of cracking ice for a morning swim.
 
How my father went off in search of the Olympic Stadium
The monumental central station
with lines crossing to Khrushchev’s Russia.
 
The tall post office building
Engel’s neoclassical facades
the Lutheran Cathedral with its five green domes
and the statues of the twelve apostles
(How did they get there?)
Marimekko, Lumni Accessories and Vietto,
the market Square in the south arm of the bay.
 
Getting lost in Stockman’s.
Trying to cross the road without getting run over.
 
Writing this.