“Vesillia (Ukrainian Wedding)” by Sevastian Volkov

VESILLIA (UKRAINIAN WEDDING)

Sevastian Volkov

Dear falcon, what do you see? Tell me while I’m far away. Do you see my lover’s paints or my lover’s fine hands?

Surely we will have a winter wedding, Let the man marry the girl. With myrtle and periwinkle he will wed her, take her from her parents’ home.

You are whiter than birch trees, and when I touch you, redder than blood!

Dear falcon, what do you see? Tell me while I’m far away. Do you see my lover’s pin, in my lover’s blue-black hair?

I was there at the wedding but when I tried to drink beer it ran down my face and into my whiskers.

You are whiter than guelder-rose, and when I kiss you, redder than berries!

Dear falcon, what do you see? Tell me while I’m far away. Do you see birds around my lover’s house? They must surely gather there.

After the wedding I will go home to your bed and only the owl will see us, if that.

We’ve drunk down all the wine what could replace it other than kisses?

You are whiter than linens and when I speak to you, redder than thread!