A post by Ostap Kostyuk reminded me of one of my favorite Tychyna poems that is once again too relevant WAR by Pavlo Tychyna, 1918 I lay down to sleep. Three angels stand at my head. The first angel -- sees all. The second angel -- hears all. The third angel -- knows all. My dream -- my son. He seems to face the enemy alone. They surround him, strike at his chest! (The first angel covers his own eyes). The field is flat, flat and green. The wind carries a tune: Farewell, mother dear. (The second angel approaches me with a cross). The wind cries: Dont grieve, if he falls for his land, He will not die. (The third angel comforts my heart). My dream -- my son. II On the right -- the sun. On the left -- the moon. Ahead -- the stars. I give you my blessing, son, strike back at the enemy. And he replies: Mother dear! There is no enemy And there never was one. The only enemy Exists in our own hearts. Give me your blessing, mother, I seek a root An herb to cure the insanity of men. I raise my hands to the cross But theres nothing there. Silence, except the crow - caw! caw! On the right -- the sun. On the left -- the moon. Ahead -- the stars. translated from the Ukrainian by Virlana Tkacz and Wanda Phipps
Posted on: Fri, 28 Mar 2014 16:09:44 +0000
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