Ukraina, Songs of a Beloved Land

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Ukraina
Songs of a Beloved Land
By Walter William Melnyk, James Stanley Melnyk

Ukraina is a western transliteration of how the name sounds in its own tongue (oo'-krah-ee'-nuh.) In English it means, "Borderland," and rightfully so, for it lies across the borders of continents. The largest country in Europe, Ukraina blends into Asia as it stretches eastward. One end is west of Athens, the other end is east of Moscow, and the great Dnipro River divides the land nearly in two. West of the Dnipro, the land and people look to Europe. East of that river, Ukraina looks to Russia, the Caspian Sea, and the vast stretches of Asia beyond.

When one sets out upon the adventure of writing poetry about Ukraina, three great themes are quickly discovered: the struggle for freedom, the agony of war, and the celebration of the land and her people. While this volume has elements of all three themes, its focus is upon the last. The political reality that is Ukraina has shifted and changed over the centuries. But the land and the people remain always the same.

Traveling south on the Dnipro, from Kyiv to the Black Sea, is to pass through the deep heart of the land and people. Ancient marshes, quiet farmland, and bustling cities line the banks. Only a day's journey separates the wooded hill of Shevchenko's tomb above Kaniv from the belching smokestacks of Dnipro-petrovsk; the Mediterranean atmosphere of modern Odessa from the turbulent past of the Crimea.
This volume is a record in verse of that journey, that land, that people. We hope you will enjoy these Songs of a Beloved Land.


ISBN/EAN13: 1450592325 / 9781450592321
Page Count: 66
Binding Type: US Trade Paper
Trim Size: 6" x 9"
Language: English
Color: Black and White
Related Categories: Poetry / Continental European

On May 8, 1861 Taras Shevchenko, the poet soul of Ukraine came home - his exile in St. Petersburg ended. Shevchenko, born to parents who were serfs in the region outside Kiev, had lived most of his life in exile from his beloved Ukraine. Having escaped from one brutal master, Shevchenko found himself apprenticed to a patron of the arts - someone who recognized Shevchenko's artistic abilities. His gift as a painter helped him find his freedom - purchased for him by several artisans. Later in life Shevchenko began to write - capturing the imagination of those who longed for a free Ukraine.

Several times throughout his life he was allowed to return home - only to find himself in opposition to Tsarist Russia, who occupied Ukraine. Still, he longed to find his way home. At 5:30 a.m. on March 10, 1861 Shevchenko died at his home in exile in St. Petersburg. He was buried in Russia, but friends who knew of his love for Ukraine decided to bring his body home.

They brought his coffin by train to Moscow, and then by horse-drawn wagon to Kiev (Kyiv), Ukraine, arriving on May 6. There his body stayed the night at Nativity of Christ Church overlooking the Dnipro River, before being taken by the steamship Kremenchuh to Kaniv (down river from Kiev). Shevechenko was buried atop Chernecha Hill (now called Taras Hill). His burial site is a sacred place for Ukrainians (see a poem about this site and the poet further down on my blog). Ukrainians come to sit among the horse chestnut trees and bluebells.

The church in Kiev where Shevchenko's body lay in state still stands a short distance above the banks of the Dnipro River in Kiev. People will tell you about the funeral procession from St. Petersburg, to Moscow, to Kiev, and on to Kaniv. It is a sacred space for the people of Kiev. And you can see it from the docks - just past the McDonald's!

Ancients of Khortytsya

From the new book by Walter William Melnyk and James Stanley Melnyk: Ukraina, Songs of a Beloved Land. Available soon on CreateSpace.com and Amazon.com

Ancients of Khortytsya

Cold stone standing watch
o’er Dnipro’s narrowing way;
once guardians of rapids
where mighty waters played.

Now captives of museums,
in ordered rank they stay,
while Kodak bearing Christians
ignore their ancient sway.

© Jim Melnyk, 6/16/2006
On the Dnipro River

Shevchenko’s Song

Shevchenko’s Song
From the new book by Walter William Melnyk and James Stanley Melnyk: Ukraina, Songs of a Beloved Land. Available soon on CreateSpace.com and Amazon.com

Quiet waters flow beneath hillside high,
swallows glide, swoop and dive,
catch their noonday meal on the fly.
The hillside echoes with their cry,
singing, singing for Shevchenko,
who from his poet’s song now rests.

As with Shevchenko, this place holds my soul
captive – its green hills, and soil dark,
and gentle Dnipro flowing by.
And like Shevchenko’s song, Dnipro flows free,
winding through Ukraine’s heart,
ever moving to the sea.

Dnipro keeps its steady pace,
never changing, ever new her race.
Birthed by icy snows and cooling rains,
rushing down wooded mountainside
past ever-deepening rocky ledge
toward Black Sea’s always restless tide.

Dnipro’s waters run strong and true,
her swirling currents the darkest blue,
like early evening’s darkening sky.
Shevchenko’s song – Ukraine’s heart –
restless tide - poet’s heart and longing sigh.

Jim Melnyk, 7/18/2006
Asheville, NC

Four Wonderful Words

As of Friday morning there will be only 12 days left until we can utter four of the most wonderful words in the English language: Pitchers and Catchers Report. As I started to read this out loud Lorraine finished the words with me. Either Lorraine is a true believer or she just knows well enough the passion those words elicit in every true believer.

Baseball. Green grass (when played in the right venues - as Richie Allen once said, "If a horse can't eat it, I don't want to play on it), Blue skies (no domes please), the crack of the bat (no pings from aluminum)and the slap of a baseball into the finely oiled pocket of a leather glove.

Baseball. When you step between the foul lines the rest of the world fades away. It's you and your team. It's you and the game. It's baseball. And it's good.

Pitchers and Catchers Report. Pitchers and Catchers Report. Four glorious words that bring into the present the fullness of our past. Tinkers to Evers to Chance. Shoeless Joe. Playing Second Base for the Dodgers, number 42, Jackie Robinson. The Giants win the pennant! The Giants win the pennant! 714. 56. 61. 27! Don Larsen's perfect game. 50% of the game is 90% mental. Willie, Mickey, and the Duke. Oh, Doctor! Holy Cow! How about that!

Lady Bugs Dance

Ladybug’s Dance

Out beyond the terrace rail
Scattering leaves on cool breeze sail
While ladybugs dance in mid-day’s light
A playful break from hungry flight.

© Jim Melnyk, 10/18/2006
St. Francis Springs Prayer Center
Stoneville, N.C.