MERC REVIEW >> Toikka's Fly Lands on the Head
The article discusses Aare Toikka's unique approach to poetry, highlighting how the creative process resembles a theatrical rehearsal.
The article reflects on the intriguing overlap between theatre and poetry, as it points out how theatrical professionals, such as actors and directors, often engage in lyrical expression. They spend hours in rehearsal rooms, digesting written texts piece by piece, savoring the best parts, while the less favored ones are set aside. These discarded remnants don't go to waste but instead linger in memory, fermenting until they manifest once more, echoing the desire to be immortalized on paper or within a book. Aare Toikka shares insights into the genesis of his poetry collection, emphasizing that the creation process was fluid and effortless, with verses arriving spontaneously like insects. While some were pinned to paper, others were allowed to return to their origins. He acknowledges that not every thought can be captured, as some ideas buzz around, elusive and free.