Olga Medvedko is a poet, writer, journalist and scholar, founder and chairman of the Gumilev Society in Russia, member of the Russian Union of Writers, candidate of Pedagogical Sciences in language teaching. She has participated in many scientific conferences and literary forums in Moscow, St.Petersburg, New York, Berlin, Oxford, Damascus, Baku, Istambul and others. She has authored two poetry books both in Russian and English, featured in several anthologies, she is an author and editor-compiler of several books on cultural studies: «Artist Nikolai Zagrekov» (2004), «Ray of the Star» (2009), «Mashkov-Zagrekov: Teacher-Disciple» (2011), «Nikolai Zagrekov and Russian Berlin» (2013) and others. She has taught for many years at the Moscow State University of International Relations (MGIMO) and Russian State University of Justice. She has traveled extensively and spent 2 years in the USA as a visiting professor, working at the State University of New York (College at New Paltz) as a lecturer on Russian culture. She has two children and resides in Moscow. Olga Medvedko A Letter to the Princess It’s because you are, who you are, my love. It’s because you are special and true, It’s because you are warm and wonderful, my love, That I give my heart to you. It’s because our moment in time is brief, It’s because our relationship’s true, It’s because every minute is precious, my love, That I give my love to you. It’s because your touch is so tender, my love, It’s because we are one, when we two Embrace and become together, my love, That I give my heart to you. It’s because, when I look into your eyes, I see something beautiful and blue, It’s because my heart skips a beat, my love, That I give my heart to you. It’s because my eyes say what words fail to do, It’s because I am besotted by you, It’s because my poems cannot truly say That I give my heart to you. So gently, my love, I cannot explain How careful I am with you. You are my Love, so I will not hurt Your heart, that I take from you. ***** The Prophet Devoted to Kahlil Gibran The Prophet was looking At a big humble crowd. The people grew silent, His voice wasn’t loud. They saw sparkling eyes With a deep dark-blue glow: “You are much better, Than you yourselves know!” The people stretched hands, As they wished to know more: “Tell us wise old man, How not to get sore?” And He looked at them gently, His voice was so low: “You are far smarter, Than you yourselves know”. “Tell us then teacher, How we can survive In the world full of hatred, Frightful hunger and strife?” And he looked with great love At the people below: “You are much kinder, Than you yourselves know”. “Tell us, oh blessed one, How we can define What’s good in this world, What is evil and vile?” And He whispered with dry lips, His words were slow: “You are far wiser, Than you yourselves know”. “Tell us dear preacher, How to live and to bear All the burdens of life With no strength to spare?” And He raised his quiet voice And He spoke to them so: “You are much stronger, Than you yourselves know”. “Tell us great Prophet, How to learn to express All the feelings and thoughts, That we, mortals possess?” And He looked at the Heaven, And raised his hands so: “You are more gifted, Than you yourselves know. Believe me, my people, Your life is a flow, And you are far greater, Than you yourselves know!” ***** What is Love? What is Love? Who can tell? Many years have passed People trying to solve this enigma. Whether ‘tis our hell For the sins of the past, Constant pain, curse of God or a stigma? But there is time and a place, When you feel divine touch And the presence of God becomes clear. Whether ‘tis paradise Or a gift out of space Given only to those without fear? What is Love? What’s its cause? Are you worthy of it? Can you follow its call with abandon? Can you change its due course Even slightly a bit, When Love strikes as lightning, at random? Here I stand on my knees, Praying only to Thee, Whose mysterious ways are beyond me: “Please reveal me your grace, Give me chance to embrace Love’s eternal bright light in my life’s race”. It is night, it is dark. There’s a voice from above… I can hear, it’s His revelation: “Love is bright. Love is light. And it is always right, As it’s ultimate Truth and salvation!”