Oleksandr Oles

Oleksandr Ivanovych Oles (real name Oleksandr Kandyba) (Ukrainian: Олександр Іванович Олесь) (1878–1944) was a prominent Ukrainian writer and poet. He is the father of another Ukrainian poet and political activist, Oleh Olzhych, who perished in the Nazi labor camps in 1944. He is one of representatives of the Ukrainian Cossack family of Kandyba.

Collections

Among his poetic collections are "Z zhurboyu radist obnymalas" — With Sadness a Joy was Embracing, "Komu povim pechal moyu" — To Whom I'll Tell About My Woes, and others (nine poetry books altogether). Oleksandr Oles also created several dramatic works.

Death

He died in emigration in Prague in 1944.

Example of his work

The sky has embraced the sea,

The sea has spilled into the sky…

The whole world they have forgotten

And have sunk in the fogs of the sky

I have dreamed of being with you,

Our souls are close mates.

You are like the blue sky

And your thoughts are like wandering clouds.

External links

• Poetry of Oleksandr Oles, in Ukrainian