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“CONTRA SPEM SPERO” — LESIA UKRAINKA’S PERSONAL REFLECTIONS LADA HAPIJ LESIA UKRAINKA (1871 — 1913) Athough Lesia Ukrainka’s greatest literary achie vements are said to be her historical and allegorical dramas, one cannot ignore the beauty and lyrical creati vity of her poetry. It is through this poetry that we can grasp a sense of the poet’s personal struggles, emotions, and dreams. Lesia Ukrainka, born Larissa Kosach-Kvitka on Feb ruary 26, 1871 in Volynia, began writing poems at the early age of nine. This may be attributed in part to her mother, Olena Pchilka, a poetess who instilled in her daughter’s heart a love for her native language, song, and country, and who exposed Lesia to a variety of literatures. When Lesia was twelve years old, she contracted tuberculosis, which at first affected her hand, then her feet, and finally her lungs. She spent much of her time seeking medical attention in Crimea, the Carpathian Mountains, the Caucasus, Italy, and Egypt, all the while dreaming of returning to Volynia. Lesia struggled with her illness for thirty years. Yet, despite this struggle, (or perhaps through it) she developed a great deal of patience, perseverance, optimism and determination. These qualities are evident in her poetry, particularly in “Contra Spem Spero”, which is listed to the right. “Contra Spem Spero” (from the Latin “I hope against hope”) gives the reader a vivid image of Lesia Ukrainka, torn between melancholy and despair and strength of spirit and hope. One is also made aware of Lesia’s great love of nature, from which she draws not only her inspiration but also her strength. February is the birth month of Lesia Ukrainka, the most prominent Ukrainian woman of the last century. Although she died prematurely (at the age 42) due to severe tuberculosis, she left a legacy of poems, dramas, and other literary works that continue to inspire us to this day. Frail and physically weak, Lesia Ukrainika had enormous spiritual strength, and through her writing fought social injustice and oppression by the Russian tsarist government in eastern Ukraine, inspiring her countrymen to stand up against it. Lesia Ukrainka was one of the most talented Ukrainian writers who made a very important contribution to Ukrainian literature. (H. K.) Away, ye gloomy thoughts, ye autumn clouds! Today about me is a golden spring! And shall my youth be wrapped in sorrow’s shrouds And fly away on lamentation’s wing? No, I would smile, though even through my tears, And sing my songs amid my dark distress, And cherish hope, when not one hope appears. I want to live! Avaunt, my hopelessness! Upon my poor and melancholy fallow I shall sow harvests of resplendent flowers, Sow even amid frosts, and gently hallo With dew of tears their unaccomplished powers. And from the burning tears I there let fall The solid, icy crust will surely melt. Perhaps the buds will blossom after all And breezes of a happy spring be felt. Up the steep pathway on the flinty hill, I’ll bear my rocky burden all day long, And though I carry such a load, I still Shall keep my heart and sing a happy song. In the obscurity of pitch-black night, I shall not for one moment close my eyes, But seek my guiding star’s unfailing light, That radiant mistress of the nightly skies. I will not let my heart fall slumbering, Even if dark and grief around prevail, For I shall find my spirit numbering The deadly steps of death upon my trail. Mortality will then press hard upon me; A deadly mist will cover up the stars; My heart beats harder: death will not outrun me, Nor pen my eager pulse behind his bars. Yes, I would smile, though even through my tears, And sing my song amid my dark distress, And cherish hope, when not one hope appears. I want to live! Avaunt, my hopelessness! “Contra Spem Spero” from The Ukrainian Poets, 1889 — 1962. Translated by C. H. Andrusyshen, M. A., Ph. D. and Watson Kirkconnell, Ph. D., D. Litt., L.H.D., D.P.B.C., L.L.D., D.ES.L. Published in 1963. ’НАШЕ ЖИТТЯ", ЛЮ ТИЙ 1994 21 From a postcard Horn Ukraine. Artist: V. Chabanyk.
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