Poetry Sunday: Love Ukraine by Volodymyr Sosiura
This poem by Ukrainian poet Volovymyr Sosiura was published in 1944 near the end of another war. As I went looking for a poem that might express my concern for that embattled country, I found this and it seemed perfect for the moment. Two lines in particular resonated with me: For other races you’ll not love hereafter Unless you love Ukraine and hold her high. The message seems to be that one must love one's own country before one can love any other. But this week let us do whatever small act we can to "Love Ukraine." Love Ukraine by Volodymyr Sosiura (Translated by C.H. Andrusyshen and Watson Kirkconnell) Love your Ukraine, love as you would the sun, The wind, the grasses and the streams together… Love her in happy hours, when joys are won, And love her in her time of stormy weather. Love her in happy dreams and when awake, Ukraine in spring’s white cherry-blossom veil. Her beauty is eternal for your sake ; Her speech is tender with the nightingale. As in a garden of