Thursday 25 August 2011

The Bard of Ukraine (March 9, 1814-March 10, 1861)

Taras Shevchenko, we remember you today
A peasant’s son, orphaned at 11
An unschooled layman
A cultured serf

We remember your freedom
One of life’s small victories

We remember how you suffered for the love of humanity
And how you spoke to us as a wandering minstrel in Kobzar
and gave testament in Zapovit

We remember you as a literary genius,
a great humanitarian, a poet, an artist speaking through your one thousand works of art

We remember that in your death you still speak to us free or serf, slave or not
Your voice resonates from the grave, a continual shout for fairness, for justice, for equality in the world

You shout
“End oppression now”
“Eliminate poverty, share the wealth”
“Take care of woman, children, especially the orphans”

We remember your compassion and prayers for Ukrainian people and all people
All of humanity

Greed is rampant
Leaders are silent
Governments are deaf
No one listens to your cries then or now
But still we remember you

We remember and in your voice we shout your words

“Stop oppression”
“Stop selfishness”
“Stop war”

We remember you
We will always remember you
But especially on the 120th anniversary of Ukrainian settlement in Canada
We remember and are reminded of your great efforts for change
We remember your ideas
“Create peace”
“Create Hope”
 “Create a new and better world”                                                 

@2011 Marion Mutala(written to honour  and celebrate the120 anniversary of Ukrainian Canadians in Canada)



T.Shevchenko Self-Portrait, 1853-1854



Picture borrowed from the Shevenchko website

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