Poems (Linn)/Odessa
ODESSA.
RADIANT, beautiful Odessa! Lying by the black-waved sea;Mountain-crowned, wave-washed, white-towered, Queen of grace and majesty.With broad plaza, sun-kissed terrace, Costumes quaintly shaped and gay,Flags of every clime and nation Floating o'er thy purple bay.
Sunshine ever doth enfold thee; Flowers and fields of billowy grainLie around thee; birds are joyous On thy upland and thy plain;From thy port bedecked with banners Whence my white-winged boat departs,See! an exile ship is steering With its freight of broken hearts.
Radiant, beautiful Odessa! Richelieu's glory, love, and pride,Wooed by breaths of balmy southland, Touched by loving foam-kissed tide. But a despot's hand is on thee, Though thy sons may wish thee free;Tear-stained, queenly, bright Odessa, Lying by the black-waved sea!