rrodriguez

Ode to the Ukrainian Sunflower

Ukrainian sunflower, a symbol of peace,

No other flower has such esteem.

You’ll grow again, everywhere, in the

Ukrainian landscape. The bat-black sky

Now over you won’t hide your bulbous face

For long. The sky will change to a deep

Blue, and the land to a paradise-yellow field.

Your seeds spread and fertilized

with innocent mercury-red blood, they’ll sprout

Into a valley of sunrise-gold sunflowers.

And the roadsides and fields tank-littered,

Will be flax-gold when your presence comes again.
You’ll raise your beaming face to color

The landscape in a bright yellow hue
Erasing the brown stain of death.

Oh, queen of the people of Ukraine,
You wait for the morning sun’s rays
To salute the brave soldiers who fought
Till the bright day of spring comes,
Tho\' their slain bodies lay in the fields,

And the enemy destroyed in the pastures,
Yet, still, you’ll rise in the roads and byways,
The seeds of the brave will fill your fields.

Your eyes will peep over the fences

And cover the hills with a golden glow,
Out on the farms, where you’re born
Again and again as of old; you’ll salute, too,

And nod at your people, who’ve trudged muddy roads,

Who’ll weave sunflower crowns and celebrate you

For brightening their way.

So, Sunflower, grow tall, grow strong,
Spread over Ukraine yellow colors of hope,
No matter your enemy abused and trampled

Your freedom birthright, let your stalk stand tall

For all to see you crowned in victory.

Let the Ukrainians celebrate once again,

Dancing in the fields under your sunbeam,

Dancing on their farms, their towns, and cities,

Rejoicing and celebrating the hard-won victory

In the dazzling splendor of the sunflower’s bright eyes.