From: Ira Kapitonova in Kyiv (Day 1270)
Let them be put to shame and confusion who seek my life!
Let them be turned back and brought to dishonor who delight in my hurt!
Psalm 70:40
The news is still overflowing with the comments and analytics on the Alaska meeting. Once again, it looks like there will be an attempt to coerce Ukraine to capitulate, which means the US siding with russia.
In light of two “world powers” thinking they can speak for Ukraine, a lot of us are reminded of the poem written back in 1962 by a Ukrainian poet, Vasyl Symonenko, who was later persecuted and killed by the Soviets. It speaks of the love for your country, and you may guess which lines really resonate with what is in our hearts, so I will just leave it here (translation by Kyrylo Snizhko)
Your blue eyes, they always make me wonder,
Kind and troubling as the morning light,
Full of lightnings crimson and of thunder
of revolts, upheavals, and of fight.
Oh, Ukraine! A miracle you aren’t?
May decades and centuries pass by,
I will always be, mother full of talent,
Be amazed and feel your lullabies.
It’s for you that I sow pearls and kindness,
It’s for you I think and I create.
May Americas and russias stick to silence,
When I want to talk to you today.
Enemies, oh, cunning, move you farther!
Friends, please wait a moment on our route!
I invoke the holy right: with mother
son can always speak in solitude.
Mom, to rarely think of you I’m bound.
Days have grown too short and fast go by:
Far too many demons on the ground
Need to be deported to the sky.
See: it’s them I fight each day and hour.
Hear: the battle’s everlasting slams!
I would surely never make it, mother,
Had it not been friends, their heads and hands!
Oh, Ukraine! You are my saving prayer.
And you are my pain and my despair.
This resounding combat can’t be fairer:
For your life and for your rights we care.
Let the enemies have devil as their brother,
Let them all insult and even brag.
I’ll become a drop of blood, oh, mother,
On your banner, on our winning flag.
Voice of Ukraine 