Vaike Pilvistu

Poems

Vaike Pilvistu (née Vaike Brenner, after the Estonianisation of the surname in 1940 Vaike Piirimaa, 17 August 1926 – 6 March 1993) was a poet.

Pilvistu was born in Järvamaa County in the family of a farm labourer. She went to school in Viljandi and later studied at Polli Horticulture School and Vana-Võidu Vocational School. After completing the vocational school in 1946, Pilvistu worked as an agronomist in many places in Estonia. Her first job was in Läänemaa County. For many years, she lived at Mooste in Põlva County. Due to an injury from an accident at work, she was unable to leave her home for years. To escape depression, she began to write poetry.

Pilvistu’s first poems were published in the newspaper Koit at Lihula in Läänemaa County in the 1950s. She participated in the activities of the Põlva literary club Helem. Her poetry was published in almanacs, including the almanac Sõna (‘Word’) published in 1981 by the journal Loomingu Raamatukogu.

Vaike Pilvistu published three poetry collections: Hingeaken (‘Window of the Soul’) in 1982, Käed (‘Hands’) in 1985 and Suur tee kõliseb kõrva (‘Big Road Ringing in My Ears’) in 1987. Her debut collection includes contemplative lyrical poetry characterized by acute perception of nature and lucid melancholy. Her poems reveal richness feelings and joy about nature and life. Pilvistu’s poetry often speaks about rural life and internal human struggles. In her language, she used simple images and preferred free verse.

Pilvistu’s poems have been translated into Finnish.

L. P. (Translated by I. A.)

Books in Estonian

Poetry
Hingeaken. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1982. 63 lk.
Käed. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1985. 55 lk.
Suur tee kõliseb kõrva. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1987. 82 lk.