Remember!

The recording of this poem used to play every hour (maybe still does) near the Monument to the Unknown Sailor in Odessa, Ukraine. After few times I instinctively tuned out the somber voice of the announcer. Today, many years after the World War II, it has a different meaning.

I was named after my Grandfather who died in WWII

Remember!
Through the centuries
through the years –
Remember!
Those
who will never return –
Remember!

Do not cry!
Stifle your moans,
bitter moans.
Be worthy
Of the memory
of the fallen!
Worthy for the eternity!

In bread and in song,
In dream and in poem,
In life without boundaries
With every second
With every breath
Be
worthy!

People!
While hearts are
beating –
Remember!
What price was paid for
the happiness, –
please
Remember!

In a song
that comes from your heart –
Remember!
Those
who will never
sing again, –
Remember!

Tell your children
about them,
so they will remember!
Tell the children of your
Children
about them,
so they too
will remember!
At all times
on the immortal
Earth
Remember!
While flying spaceships to
the flickering stars –
Remember!
Meet
the quivering spring,
people of the Earth.
Kill
the war,
curse
the war,
People of the Earth!

Carry your dream
through the years
and fill it with
life! ..
But those
who will never return –
I implore you-
Remember!

Requiem by Robert Rozhdestvensky (1962) Translated by me.