Come Easter Day, dear God Almighty,
There had not been since we were born
Such Easter morning for us ever!
From daybreak, chatter, noise; excited,
The village like an anthill swarmed
And seethed with people. All together
Rushed to the church. And when the first
Time ‘Christ is risen’ rang out, throbbing,
Then all, like children wept, the sobbing
Shook the church in a mighty burst.
For so it seemed that we had languished
An age, had suffered long-drawn anguish,
Till He had risen here with us.
Then, somehow, we all felt the birth
Within our souls of light and cherished
Peace, and it seemed that all were ready
To cry aloud to heaven and earth
And shout and sing: "All evil's perished!"
The worst of enemies, effacing
Their feuds, kissed, joyfully embracing,
And still the bells pealed far and wide!
And the young folk ran, hardly sober
With joy, and shouted on all sides:
"No lord! No serfdom! It's all over!
We're free! We're free! All, all are free!"
And even the small children, seeing
Their elders, also cry out, seeming
Like quails that run the field about.
When the church service was all over,
Out to the churchyard we all poured,
Some hundreds strong; with one accord
All knelt upon the earth, and raising
Their voice, the whole folk hymned God, praising
Him in that glorious hymn of yore:
"We praise Thee, God, forever more!"
Like thunder, first, the sounds came throbbing,
Those mighty words with joy were ringing,
But at the end the holy singing
Covered the sound of deep, deep sobbing.
It is in vain I try, my children,
To tell you, even in the least,
What happened on that glorious feast,
The things which mine own eyes beheld then.
The people seemed to have gone mad!
Like boys, old men danced round each other,
And, by his horses, one old dad
Stands kissing them, just like a brother,
And talks and pats them quietly.
And there the girls stand, grouped together,
And each of them takes off her head-dress,
And makes a bow, and humbly spreads it
Before the icons. Each man said
Loud to his neighbour, as a greeting,
"Christ is risen! Serfdom's dead,
Gone to hell!" And one grand-dad, weeping
Older he is than all the rest,
Kneels on a grave-hump, half-effaced,
As if he'd gather to his breast
And would the very sod embrace,
And cries with all his might: "Dad, Dad!
We're free! O Dad, d’you hear, we're free!
And you a hundred years were trying
To live out serfdom, fought against dying,
Waiting for freedom. Dad d’you see,
We're free! Poor Dad! You couldn't manage
To live it out, but dawn has come!
And now no master in his palace
Can take my grandsons, unlike me!
O Dad, now call me, call me home!
Your son can die a man, and free!"
Author notes
This is my translation from the Ukrainian poet Ivan Franko (1856 - 1916) and it is an extract from a long narrative THE LORD'S JESTS, about the abolition of serfdom in the Austrian Empire - which (most appropriately) came into effect on Easter Day (24 April) 1848.
Incidentally, at Easter 2006 I had the great privilege of being asked to recite this translation in the very churchyard described in this passage.
A contest entry
- Season's Blessings by Star Shine.
900 points, ended April 9, 2007, 16 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Christianity by SoS.
450 points, ended September 8, 2007, 20 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - #48 Spring and Easter Sunday by daviscth.
450 points, ended March 5, 2008, 12 entries
Silver trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - # 63 A poem about Easter. You may write to the graphic. by Lyndon.
4500 points, ended April 9, 2008, 11 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Medieval/Historical related poems by TyrannyForestFairy.
1410 points, ended August 12, 2008, 28 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Move Yourself by Walking Oxymoron.
700 points, ended February 23, 21 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Moments in History by Aedara-Wren.
1050 points, ended April 20, 10 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please do not feel under any pressure to comment.
Comments
1 - 11 of 11
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I find this poem very interesting with its equating of freedom with the rise of Christ so these people are free in two ways. You can really feel the joy in every line. A very different piece of history from any other in the contest too. Well translated (I imagine anyway)
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Wow... the ending is very powerful.... I can see why it moves you so....
What a privilege to have read this in the place to which it refers...!
Thank you for your entry -
Although I do not read much literature based on religion, I have to admit I liked this and it was creatively composed. Thanks for entering.
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Hello Vera
Have to tell you that the dam was at great stress to break but thought I'd manage till the end. But when he kissed his horse it was all over. I had heard about surfs and vassals and the like but had not given it much thought as to how it all ended. I thought the Magna Carta, but have been wrong before.
Simply great, Vera. Thanks for pointing it out.
John
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There is great joy shown in the actions of the people, and it is such a significant day for a declaration of freedom.
I enjoyed the rhymes.
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This is a wonderful translated addition to this contest. Bringing full meaning to Easter tradition for Christians at an earlier time in history.
I loved and learned much in your author's notes. Thank you for a wonderful entry and best of luck in the judging. ~Pamela
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Strong and basically
iambic tetrameter blank verse. A noble translation from a greater poet set in History when freedom was treasured in Europe much greater than now. He is Risen equates equally to a Country's rebirth.
Thank you. Lyndon of the Winklings.
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This is such a fitting piece for my contest. I still have goosebumps from reading it. Wow!!! What an honor for you my dear, I would have loved to of been there...
Thanks so much for posting in my contest and all the best of luck to you at judging, Cathy.
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1848
was a momentous year in Europe, a pivitol point in history. More folk should know of this than do. -
A Resurrection of sorts
out of the middle ages into modern Europe, more or less. As a poem, it is highly instructive in the English translation. How well the translation went we are not to know. There is a patriotism identified with the message of Easter in this recounting of an historical moment. One can but admire the wonderful job you have done here, Vera. From Ron.
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How beautiful, and some great teaching, the words are so moving, thank you so much for entering and sharing this here!
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