In our hearts we are the ocean, but we are islands in our minds

[sovay]

Hear me, all who can hear in Russia,
I am writing in Russian
from my native Ukraine
I have not been forbidden

What have you imagined,
what are they feeding you,
how did they brainwash you
while they are feeding us bullets,
fear, deaths,
Is this what you call saving us?

—A poem for Russia from the front lines of Ukraine, translated by R.B. Lemberg.

Comments

[asakiyume]

It's so wonderful that they translated this. I saw their tweet thread and the original spoken-word poem. I don't understand the Russian, but I liked hearing the sounds, and I'm really grateful to have the translation.

[sovay]

I don't understand the Russian, but I liked hearing the sounds, and I'm really grateful to have the translation.

I can't understand the original, either, so I would appreciate the translation if it were just a workprint, but I think R.B. translated it beautifully.

[minoanmiss]

This is heartwrenchingly beautiful and full of truth.

[sovay]

This is heartwrenchingly beautiful and full of truth.

I hope some of the people who were meant to hear it do.

[gwynnega]

It is such a beautiful, powerful poem.

[sovay]

It is such a beautiful, powerful poem.

I don't like that there has to be so much singing about the dark times, but it is very good singing.

[lokifan]

Thank you for linking this - I follow Lemberg but I'm not on Twitter much.

[sovay]

Thank you for linking this - I follow Lemberg but I'm not on Twitter much.

You're welcome! I'm not on Twitter at all, but I check in on a couple of people when I can.