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For Cyborgs taken prisoner: a dedication

Article by: Halyna Ukrainka
Translated by: Jeffrey Stephaniuk

Forgive me, my brother, for not being with you
As your companion into Donetsk in chains
Forgive me for being powerless to undo this harm
Or even reach out to steady your hand….

Forgive me…. So many days you protected me
Among the ruins of the airport…
Day and night you had no rest from the torrent of gunfire
But then you belong to that cohort of resilient cyborgs

Forgive me that I am not with you
To renew with my embrace
Your spirit and your strength
I wish I had been in your company
On that fateful day

For Ukraine, our native land under peaceful skies
For home and children and for family
For truth and freedom, what we hold dear
And all that nurtures faith within our hearts

Forgive me… For your Golgotha, your crucifixion
And the smothering weight of this cross
Have no fear of anything, my adopted brother…
Do not bow down your head…

I am sure that many Judases will soon protest
Those who believe the lies, who commit betrayal
Such incredible pain to witness
Human inhumanity
Forgive me, if possible, and forgive them.

Translation: Jeffrey Stephaniuk

[hr]

Original in Ukrainian

Полоненим кіборгам

Пробач, що не поруч з тобою іду
В Донецьку на плаху, мій брате!
Пробач, що не можу відвести біду
І навіть за руку узяти….
Пробач… Ти мене стільки днів захищав
В руїнах аеропорту…
Під шквалом вогню дні і ночі не спав.
Ти з кіборгів сильних когорти.
Пробач, Я не в змозі тебе обійнять,
Щоб сили і духу додати,
В невідворотності данного дня
Я хочу з тобою стояти.
За наш рідний край, неба синь – Україну,
За дім, за дітей, за сім*ю,
За правду, за волю, червону калину,
Що віру нам в серці дають.
Пробач… Це – Голгофа твоя, розпинання.
І важко нести хрест тяжкий.
Не бійся нічого, мій брате названий…
Не опускай голови…
Я знаю, вже скоро заплачуть іуди,
Що в спину штовхаючи вірять брехні.
Як боляче бачити: люди – не люди.
Пробач, якщо можеш, і їх.

(c) Галина Українка

Translated by: Jeffrey Stephaniuk
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