Volga Poem by Liilia Talts Morrison

Of old I heard them sing sad songs
about a mighty force
a river deep and very long
though small its birth and source

They say the lonely Valdai Hills
today lie lone and wild
a humble birthplace and the start
to Mother Volga's child

They say the Volga brought fierce Huns
in hazy ancient days
to flood the kingdoms of the West
and tribal mayhem raised

They speak of Golden Hordes and men
who founded empires grand
of Kazan and of Astrakhan
with thirst for power fanned

A river very long and deep
may start with just one drop
a trickle and a humble brook
may swell and never stop

Though times and tides move as they will
and change is meant to change
sometimes a rock or grain of sand
grows to a mountain range

In life a little smile or word
can turn a soul around
from darkness toward warming light
with love and glory crowned

Of old I heard them sing sad songs
about a mighty force
a river deep and very long
though small its birth and source.