SUNFLOWERS By Natalia Senchenko

Sunflowers are blooming, sunflowers
in Ukraine, in the boundless fields…
From them stem calm and sunlight
In our homeland, in our heartbeats….

In the spring thick little black grains
Will fall on soft wet soil;
And on strong stems, fused under sun
Will flower baskets of honey blossom….

In each stem - might and spirit unbreakable
Grow under the sun in splendor and shine….

For good, wealth, and for joy
From flowers will ripen sapid grains….

Our flower is the blossom of sunshine
In the field of clear sky blue
A sign of peace, unity, prosperity
A sign of the might of Ukrainian land….

Sunflowers are blooming, sunflowers
in Ukraine, in the boundless fields
From them stem calm and sunlight
In our homeland, in our heartbeats.

Vinnytsia, 28 March 2022

Natalia Senchenko is a Ukrainian songwriter, published poet, social activist, and trained medical doctor based in her hometown of Vinnytsia.

Translated by Alex Yakubson with Shawn Landres for @sunflowersonyourtable
Art by Anna Abramzon Studio