Khaya Ronkainen

Love Happens Everyday

Posted on 02/13/2019 by Khaya Ronkainen

Cynics are in disagreement
What is a box of chocolate
But life to give a toothache!

I don’t mean to offend as I
Gather a tercet to sing a song
But there’s a wonderful joy

Blushing face of February
Charms the naked branch
But love happens everyday

note: This muted and outstanding illustration by MagicLoveCrow features in my upcoming chapbook, From the Depths of Darkness. Be on the lookout for the whole story… it’s publishing soon!

On Writing and Living…

It’s February; the month of love. I know it’s easy to get cynical about the whole Valentine’s Day commercial part. As I point out in the poem above, love happens everyday and can be expressed in most simplest of ways. So, I don’t think it’s a bad idea to set aside a day to celebrate love for and with your spouse or significant other in a way that feels natural to you both.

“Is there something you learned more about or some skill you picked up because of a significant other?” asks Rommy.

My list is endless, and includes an array of seasonal outdoor activities, among other things. But what stands out most is the introduction, by my husband, to works of J.R.R. Tolkien, George R.R. Martin and Neil Gaiman to name a few. Mind you, I am the writer in our family, he is a gamer!

So, I feel truly blessed to have my husband’s support to pursue my passion. This is what I mean by love happens everyday.

Poetry

An Exceptional Gift

Posted on 01/30/2019 by Khaya Ronkainen

“Someone I loved once gave me a box full of darkness. It took me years to understand that this too, was a gift.” – Mary Oliver

tentacles that crawl
invade life, hold the fragile
hostage and crush, crush
darkness to a deafening
silence; an abode for calm

Darkness is… for Poets United

On Writing and Living…

This week Rommy asks, “did you ever get a chance to hold something that you only imagined before?” By the way, she recently published a book of short stories. Check it out, and enjoy a moment in her fantasy world.

But to answer her question. I know that wonderful feeling with the publication of my first chapbook. It is surreal to finally hold in your hands a book you’ve poured heart and soul into.

And this dream is made possible by other kindred souls, who see your vision and help you accomplish it. I have many to thank.

But right now, I’d like to thank two special people (you know who you are). These kindred hearts brought a candle each to save a flickering flame that threatened a total blackout.

So, with their help, I’m happy to finally say my second chapbook, From the Depths of Darkness, is coming out soon. It’s been sweat and tears, literally, putting this one together.

Poetry

Beneath the Snow

Posted on 01/24/2019 by Khaya Ronkainen

“Can we talk climate?” asks Susan at Poets United.

cold grew
of snow and ice
fingers scrubbed
winter winds away
for morning came

One of the things that used to vex me with Finnish winter was the ice scrapping of the windscreen, in the mornings. We couldn’t do without a car living in the countryside. But when we moved to the city, it became redundant with the ease of public transport.

Few years ago we sold our car. The motivation at the time was to save a few bucks, car insurance is expensive. But this was also our contribution to reduce transportation emissions. Now, when I see neighbours scratching ice and dusting snow off the windscreen in the mornings, I just smile. Because giving up the car has made me healthier and happier.