To the Rusyns of the world, to the Rusyn people I dedicate...
by Professor Mychayl Pavuk, Bratislava, September 1994
O, our Carpathia,
Beautiful as a flower, filled with
goodness!
You are beloved by the Rusyn, -
for you were given to us by
God!....
'Tis said Rusynia has a purpose
Good people in an
earthy paradise!..
And Rusyns at this time? Their ranks have been reduced!
But looking ahead, they prepare for freedom!...
...The stepmother has been judged evil.
She bound us
hand and foot
and forbade us to think,
she deprived us in every
possible way.
Rus' was old Carpathia,
Later...SubCarpathia, -
Rusynia, historic Ruthenia,
Once a flourishing country!
Our mother embraced us,
the evil stepmother did not...
Just as there are in the forest bear, fox and wolf,
at home we were sure of
stepmother's beatings, lessons!...
The Rusyns were peaceful and industrious -
As God's
children, brothers and sons!
They once welcomed Cyril and Methodius
with bells and choirs
It was a joyous, happy good fortune -
Bread and salt! What's ours is
also yours!
The Word of Holy Scripture resounded
as the word of our
own mother.
To my Rusyn forefathers
I offer my heart and soul.
And Glory to You Most High God,
Everyone will help the Rusyn people.
It is never too late to perform worthwhile deeds:
They
always end well.
So say the Slovaks, Czechs, Slavs, -
This is
believed by Rusyns everywhere!
Rusyns of the world join hands!
Seek freedom in our
native land!
In unity there is strength! Revival of the people!
There
is a Rusyn spring-time - sunshine and liberty!
O, our Carpathian land,
Like a beautiful flower,
filled with good!
A world filled with Rusyns,
Given to us by God!...
Our modern Rusyn poets have been the source of some of the most vibrant products of the worldwide "Rusyn Renaissance." We are privleged to have received original Rusyn poetry from Professor Mychajl Pavuk of Bratislava, Slovakia. Dr. Pavuk is a native of Korolevo nad Tysoju in former Ugoca County of Subcarpathian Rus', a small Rusyn town on the Tysa River. Although we have had his poems for over a year and a half, we have not had adequate space to give them their due - until now. We gave two C-RS members - John Timo and John Kelnock - a crack at the frightfully difficult task of translating this poetry into English while preserving some of the style of the original. We thank them both for their efforts, and we proudly present the first of their finished products above ----Rich Custer, Editor, New Rusyn Times
copyright © 1996 Carpatho-Rusyn Society
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Last modified on September 27 1997
URL:http://www.carpatho-rusyn.org/crs/junfeatr.htm
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