Markiyan Shashkevych “Springtide Song”

Ukrainian Poetry
Markiyan Shashkevych

“Springtide Song”

A minute flower

Begged her mommy, 

The early spring hour:

“Mother, loving!

Please, accommodate:

Grant me good fate, 

So that I could blow

Making the meadow fine, 

So that I could glow, 

As the sun’s light, 

As the star, so bright, 

To attract all the world!”

“My daughter, pretty!

For your words, 

I feel pity, 

As a swirl can bolt, 

The frost can bring cold, 

A storm can beat, -

The beauty will fade, 

The face will degrade, 

You’ll lower your crown, 

Your leaves will cop out, -

The heart will bleed”.

Translation form Ukrainian into English by Ivan Petryshyn

CША, 25.02.2018