salomeja neris

salomeja neris was born in what we know as lithuania. a somewhat controversial poet through her association and cooperation with the communist authorities, salomeja nevertheless produced some lovely poetry.


here she is in 1928 . . .


you will waken

you will waken in the deep of night...
woodland winds will summon you to roam
and the birch will wave at its full height,
greeting swans and cranes returning home.

meanwhile spring will strew the sky with stars,
off will all the gates and fences blow.
through the gaps in cracking snow-drift bars
soon a blade of grass will peep and grow.

spring advances, eager for a fight,
flooding streams, announcing winter's fall.
you will waken in the deep of night...
listen to your homeland's springtime call!

salomeja neris
(1904 – 1945)

these are images taken recently in my back garden of flowers emerging against a backdrop of ice. click them to fill your screen!