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SULTRY WEATHER (translation)

No breath of air,
Cloud everywhere
A crash! A flare!
Elijah’s out!
A lightning flame revealed on high
Flickered and rolled down from the sky,
And sweet rains came to ease the dry
Earth’s burning drought.
Drops in swift refreshing showers
Give drink to all that long to drink:
Grainfields, trees and grass and flowers;
They try to flood lanes to the brink,
Wash windows, beat on rooftops pounding,
Wash houses, drench orchards again;
Fish in the streams have food abounding…
In sultry weather who hates rain?
Decreasing now,
And ceasing now,
Grows peaceful now…
- And rest!
And the sun shows forth again,
As if fresh from a bath again,
Shines and makes all glitter,
Sets bright sparkles flitting,
On grass-blades and on foliage green,
In the ditch and on the stream,
In the lane, in the orchard gleams;
And the earth breathes deeply, panting
With every one of its enchanting
Full and happy breasts.

Author notes

This is my translation of a poem by the Belarusian poet Ales Harun (1878-1920)

The reference to Elijah is to the Belarusian folk-lore belief that during thunder-and-lightning storms, Elijah is once more riding in his fiery chariot!

A contest entry

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Comments

1 - 6 of 6
  • Atrus
    September 21
    Edit | Reply
    Elijah riding again, yeah-ah! :-) I like that mental image


  • Justinintendo
    July 27, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    Very good entry, and a very good translation too, I might add, even though I've never seen the original...you did a great job, and good luck in this contest.


  • onesugar gold member
    June 30, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    This brought beautiful images to my mind. How it quenches a dry earth. A pleasure to read.
    Thank you for entering and good luck
    ~sugar~


  • Mountainwhispers
    April 15, 2008
    Edit | Reply
    This was really intresting nice thoughts!!
    ~Ocean~


  • anaisnais
    September 2, 2007
    Edit | Reply
    Thank you for entering my competition and good luck


  • SummerlandRayne gold member
    August 14, 2007

    Edit | Reply
    I have never read this! It is just amazing...so true to the nature of a storm. And I can certainly feel the sensual under-tones as I see the Earth as a living being with needs as we have! Thanks for the entry and best of luck in contest!
    Love~
    Az

1 - 6 of 6