A Pysanka Poem Worth Sharing

Joan's been up to her literary ramblings again . . . . some literary works to enjoy. 

This poem, Pysanky – Writing Easter Eggs, by Margaret I. Gibson appeared in Ukrainska Dumka in 2008 and is also found here.

Pysanky - Writing Easter Eggs

My friend and I, for more together time,

attended class in "writing" Easter eggs.

This art is practised in Ukraine, its true

beginnings lost in tales of fine designs

inscribed to charm the spirits of the fields

for health, for harvest, home and happiness.

In Christian times the pagan symbols changed:

the sun became the cross, the sheaves and birds

and curling lines took sacred meanings too;

and as we played with eggs, we talked and laughed.

The craft consists of dyeing eggs in two

or more successive colours; but the art

is drawing melted wax in pictograms.

We made unsteady lines - unpractised hands.

We drew and dyed, concealing almost all

the shell in sooty beeswax. At the end,

removing molten wax revealed - surprise!

In class, we two were satisfied with all -

we learned a little of our heritage,

and shared the gentle grace of being friends.

#PysankaPoems #pysanka #UkrainianEasterEgg #BabasBeeswax #JoanBrander