Vyshebaba’s poem “To My Daughter” in the original and in English and Turkish translations

"To My Daughter" ("Just Don’t Write Me About the War") is a poem by poet, musician, and war participant Pavlo Vyshebaba.

The poem was written in May 2022 during Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, while Pavlo was serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Within a week, it gained widespread popularity.

The poem is a response to a letter from Pavlo Vyshebaba’s daughter, who was evacuated abroad and asked what she should say to her father. In reply, Pavlo wrote a poem asking her not to write about the war or describe how she fled from rockets. Instead, he urged her to invite all the Europeans who had sheltered his family and other Ukrainians forced to leave their homes due to the war.

The poem has been translated into English, French, Turkish, and other languages, and several music videos have been created based on it. Several academic studies have already been dedicated to the analysis of Pavlo Vyshebaba’s work as well.

In 2022, Pavlo Vyshebaba published his debut poetry collection, Just Don’t Write Me About the War, named after the poem’s opening line.

Also in 2022, a musical composition titled "To My Daughter" ("Доньці") was released, performed by Pavlo Vyshebaba in collaboration with singer Kola.

Тільки не пиши мені про війну, розкажи, чи є біля тебе сад, чи ти чуєш коників і цикад, і чи повзають равлики по в’юну. Як у тих далеких від нас краях, називають люди своїх котів? Те, чого найбільше би я хотів, щоб не було суму в твоїх рядках. Чи цвіте там вишня та абрикос? І якщо подарують тобі букет, не розказуй, як бігла ти від ракет, розкажи, як добре нам тут жилось. Запроси в Україну до нас гостей, всіх, кого зустрінеш на чужині, ми покажемо кожному по війні, як ми вдячні за спокій своїх дітей.

Just don’t write to me about the war,Tell me if there’s a garden near you,If you can hear the crickets and cicadas, a few, And upon Morning-glories do the snails crawl? In those lands far away from us, in thousands of miles, How do people name their cats?What I wish more than the rest,Is that there’s no sadness in your lines. Do cherry and apricot trees bloom there?And if someone gives you a bouquet,Don’t tell how you ran from rocket,Tell them how well we lived here. Invite guests to Ukraine, please, Everyone you meet in a foreign land,We will show to everyone after the war is end, How grateful we are for our children’s peace.

Bana sadece savaş hakkında yazma sen, Yanında bahçe var mı, anlat bunu, Çekirgelerin, cırcır böceklerinin sesini duyuyor musun, Ve salyangozlar sürünüyor mu sarmal çiçekler üzerinde? Bizden uzak o diyarlarda, İnsanlar ne isim verir kedilerine? En çok istediğim şey ise, Hüzün olmaması satırlarında. Orada kiraz ve kayısı ağaçları çiçek açıyor mu, evlat? Ve eğer sana verirlerse bir buket, Anlatma nasıl seni öldürecekti o kadar çok roket, Burada ne kadar güzel yaşadığımızı anlat. Ukrayna'ya misafirleri davet et, Gurbet ellerde karşılaştığın herkesi, Herkese göstereceğiz savaş sonrası, Çocuklarımızın huzuru için ne kadar doluyor kalplerimizi minnet.

Translated by O. Virnyk