This is a little poem I wrote four years ago when I was traveling and visiting the capital city of my country, Lithuania. Although I don't visit there enough, this place I used to live has such a deep and profound place in my heart that I'll always appreciate and value. The ancestral and pagan lineage is still running strong within me.
Dear Vilnius,
The dusk gathers softly
on the domes and spires
of the ancient city
tucked in the pockets of hills.
The castle in the distance
watches over and protects
where the iron wolf used to howl through the night
for the dreams of the people
who believed in legends.
The ones who worship the sun, moon and stars,
name their children after trees,
who've been conquered and been conquerors,
who sang their way to freedom.
The summer sun never sets
on the cobblestone streets
with stone angels peering down
where wishes are made
on golden archways.
In ancient songs
of love and loss
of quiet countryside
and shy spring smiles.
Miela Lietuva,
(Dear Lithuania)
atsiprašau kad aš vis tavęs pamirštu.
(I'm sorry I always forget you)
Pamirštu kad esi manyje
(I forget you are inside of me)
ir aš dalis tavęs.
(as I am a part of you)
Man reikia eiti savo keliu
(I have to go my way)
su tavo vardu širdyje.
(with your name in my heart)
Gerbti tavo praeities
(respect your past)
kuris išvis yra mano.
(that in the end is mine)
Man duoda stiprybės ir ramybės
(It gives me strength and peace)
mano kraujas didysis
(this blood)
niekados nebūsiu kitokia.
(I will never be another)
Tave galiu mylėti
(I can love you)
asmenišku būdu
(In my own way)
Mes išsiskleidžiam po visą pasaulį
(We spread across the world)
šitos salies ateitis
(this country's future)
padarysim gero iš ko mums davėt
(We'll do good out of what you gave us)
bet eisim savo kryptim
(but we'll go our own way)