Introduction by Aigerim Bibol
Poems by Alina Shevchenko
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Artwork by Zanna Vasquez
Introduction
In this collection of poems, Alina Shevchenko offers a poignant exploration of loss, love, and resilience against the backdrop of war. Through vivid imagery and evocative language, she paints a haunting picture of life in a conflict-ridden landscape, capturing both the collective sorrow (“the icon / will weep with memory”) and moments of strength and courage (“And you sleep tight, / I’ll go hold up the sky and be right back”). Shevchenko urges readers to confront the harsh realities of war without losing hope amidst the darkness.
The first poem is a solemn reflection on remembrance and an homage to those whose stories have been lost to the ravages of war. Through sparse yet powerful images such as a “holy icon” of memory, the poem invokes a sense of reverence for the “forgotten” and “nameless” in Ukraine. In the second poem, Shevchenko describes a shawl that “warmed a bloody shoulder” instead of a “slender neck,” becoming a makeshift bandage rather than a source of warmth and comfort. The shawl conveys the loss of innocence during war, juxtaposing the peaceful transition between seasons with the violence of bullets falling like snow. The third poem beautifully captures the delicate balance between domestic tranquility and the looming threat of upheaval. The open-ended nature of the poem’s final line creates a sense of uncertainty while still leaving room for the possibility that reunion awaits on the other side.
With stark simplicity, Shevchenko provides a glimpse into the quiet heroism of those who endure, even in the face of unimaginable horrors. Her lyrical writing and unflinching honesty is a testament to the power of art as a vehicle for empathy and understanding. Profound and moving, these poems capture the soul of a nation at war and the unyielding strength of the Ukrainian people.
Poems by Alina Shevchenko
***
who’ll remember
the forgotten
the nameless
in the graves
of their land
who’ll hang their heads
in homage
chests shot through
chests hot
covered in last snow
hearts
and the tear
dried up on the rock
a righteous night
will shine in prayer
through your sleep
a holy icon
just the token of grace
covered in kisses
the icon
will weep with memory
of the departed
***
The silk shawl failed to warm her slender neck,
its thin veil offering no comfort. But before that was summer. By autumn the sun ripened,
the soil was satiated, washed. He dropped his words like leaves: — Love, allow me to take
it on the road with me?
… Hot nights retained in memory… The winter let out snow,
but what fell were bullets.
The spring did not pour water —
the ground shook,
but not with thunder.
Instead of gauze,
a silk shawl
warmed a bloody shoulder…
***
Your calmness lies in the ear of the siren, your valor — under the wing of a plane. You have your bomb shelter
right at the entrance to your home and between rooms:
there are just two of them —
kitchen and bedroom,
and the bath, featherbed-soft
warm without water,
yellowed, but don’t fret,
you picked one out of a catalog yesterday. It can wait. It will.
Remember when we were sharing the flat, cause mom, dad, and granny were sick, and my fiance slept over.
And now it’s just the two,
an hour to sleep and then change shifts, the most soothing bath instead of bed. Today he said that he was leaving: — While you sleep tight,
I’ll go hold up the sky and be right back. You sleep…
Translators: Julia Murashova
Content Editor : Aigerim Bibol
Image Credits
Artwork by Zanna Vasquez
Zanna Vasquez is a student at Stanford Online High School. She likes writing historical fiction and fantasy, Oscar Wilde, and morally grey characters. When she’s not writing about pirates and 1920s gangsters, you can find her fencing, drawing, researching, or eating cheese with her friends.
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