Odessa

We are in Odessa right now. It's a beautiful city and slightly cooler with the breeze off the Black Sea (so romantic sounding, isn't it?!). It is record-breaking hot here, and just learned about the fires in Russia, but I am not surprised. That might explain the haze that has been in the air since we arrived in Ukraine. For the heat, it's a terrible time to be traveling. We took an overnight train from Dnipopetrovsk last night and I could only sleep about 3 hours of the 11 because of the heat. Ugh.

But Odessa is beautiful. This is where my ancestors took their last steps on their home continent, their motherland Russia. I have always dreamt of coming here. It doesn't quite add up to my dreams of the place, but I think it must have been grander in the times when my ancestors were here - either through their eyes having come from smaller towns, or because of the destruction of much of the city in the war and then the Soviet re-building. Now though, it seems like a city in reconstruction - so many of th ebuildings are being re-built and re-decorated adn they are beautiful.

There is incredible drala here in Odessa.

This poem just popped out:

"Odessa"

Odessa
port of departure
from motherland Russia
sparkling with drala
you showed the way to richness
for those about to leave
haven for those from the dirt farms
capital for those wishing to leave

Odessa
your magical air
perched above the cooling Black Sea
imagination cannot help
but sing with stories of distant lands
shivering with mystery
quaking like a tender leaf
relaxing with the brilliance

i see you
i see you walking down the Potemkin steps
embarking upon your journey into the unknown future
clasping a small orange in your hands
given to you by a sailor

Odessa
the last footstep on your homeland