Heart of a Ukrainian Poet

This poem was my first translation project in Ukraine.  It’s about a father giving advice to his son about setting out to make his own way in the world.  The topic is very fitting for a couple of Peace Corps trainees preparing to head off to their permanent sites in a mere three weeks!

Виростеш ти, сину, вирушиш в дорогу,

Вирушать з тобою приспані тривоги.

За тобою завше будуть мандрувати

Очі материнські і білява хата.

А якщо впадеш ти на чужому полі,

Прийдуть з України верби і тополі.

Стануть над тобою, листям затріпочуть,

Тугою прощання душу залоскочуть.

Можна вибрать друга і по духу брата,

Та не можна рідну матір вибирати.

Можна все на світі вибирати, сину,

Вибирати не можна тільки Батьківщину.

                                                Василь Симоненко

The translation is as follows:

You will grow up, oh son, you will start a journey,

Slumbering worries will depart with you.

But behind you will always travel

The eyes of a mother and a white cottage.

And if you should fall in someone else’s field,

Willows and poplars will arrive from Ukraine.

They will stand above you with leaves that rustle,

And delight the anguish of a journeying soul.

One may choose a friend and a kindred spirit,

But one may not choose one’s own mother.

One may choose everything in this world, oh son,

But one may not choose their motherland.

                                                Vasil Simonenko