the fate of the baltic
the fate of the baltic countries the fate of the baltic countries will be determined by russia the fate of russia will be determined by japan the fate of japan will be determined by the pacific ocean the abyss of tuscarora fate rises from the east like a deceitful sun From Birut Hill Rolling wind-driven breakers ashore from the west, Splash my breast with the chill of your waves, or to me Grant your power with which my own heart could express All its strivings as grandly as you, Baltic Sea! How I longed for you, infinite one! How I yearned Just to hear your mysterious voices resound! You alone understand me, because you have scorned Through the ages to silence your breakers unbound! Are you sad? So am I! And I do not know why; I just pray all the storms to howl louder for me: Though they offer no tranquil forgetfulness, I Always strive to be closer to you, Baltic Sea! By the Seaside for online perusal only Andres Ehin (b.1940) (English translation by J. Talvet and H.L. Hix) Maironis (1862-1932) (English translation by Lionginas Pažsis) The sea is kin to my flesh – salt like tears and blood. The sea is kin to my thought – luring further, ever further. The sea is kin to my strength – no burden too heavy to bear. Kin to my helplessness – she does not run from a safe shore. Kin she to my solitude – who else could be more sadly silent? Kin to my restless mind – her shining waves never sleep. Kin of my tenderness and dreams – at the horizon she clasps the sky. Kin to my hot-headed recklessness – singing she gives herself to every gale.
Kin to my curiosity – she calls to parts unknown. To my thirst – she drinks all streams but never drinks her fill. I fall to my knees in front of the sea; in you I recognize my mother – Teach me what I still don’t possess: the majestic peace of your depths! The sea doesn't want to make waves. The wind doesn't want to blow. Everything wants balance, peace, and seeking peace has no peace. If you understand this, does it change something? Can you be peaceful even where there is no peace? Is it a different kind of peace? Questions all over again. Answers are few, as always. The wave goes up and down. A flock of birds flies low to NNE. This, too, is a wave. Thought is waves, too. Mirdza Bendrupe (1910-1995) (English translation by Margita Gailitis) for online perusal only Jaan Kaplinski (b.1941) (English translation by the author with Fiona Sampson) ...et similiter mare Balticum, quae omnia reflectunt ad orientem... ...and likewise the Baltic sea, all face East… Francis Bacon (1561-1626)
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