modern encounters with old slavic gods
Perun the mountains are tricky: it took a moment of carelessness and a bit too much pride and you’re lost after straying from the trail; one slip and hard rocks cut the skin on your knees, hands full of splinters after trying to hold onto a branch, no signal. “you lost, huh? should’ve stayed on the damn trail” you hear and see a tall, broad-shouldered man. he sighs, scratches his scruffy beard and takes off his mountain rescuer jacket “take it, you’re clearly cold” he looks at you and smiles, grumpy demeanor disappearing. he leads you back to the mountain hostel and buys a beer for both of you. you feel like you’ve known him all your life. you look at your hands and before you can thank him for saving your life, he’s disappeared. you finish the beer and feel the air fill with static, as the mountains tremble with the greatest storm you’ve ever seen.
Veles it’s the middle of the night and you’re driving aimlessly, face wet from crying. it was one of the worst fights you’ve ever had, and you feel both hurt and guilty. you didn’t pay attention and soon you ran out of gas, and you can’t believe your luck upon seeing a small gas station in the middle of nowhere. the lights buzz lowly and there’s a song playing in the background. you know it but can’t remember the name or the lyrics. a man sitting in the corner offers you coffee - he cracks a joke but you know he noticed you’ve been crying. you end up drinking coffee with him at 2am; he lit up a cigarette but put it out when he saw the face you made. the cashier doesn’t seem to notice or hear him. he tells you guilt is good only when it leads to change; if it’s just a remnant of past, let it go. you give him a lift and his stop is in the middle of forest, and you can swear the moment he reached the trees he stopped looking human.
Jarilo you breathe in fresh air: it smells like flowers, and sun, and this sour candy you used to buy at your school when you were eight. you see a great crowd of people, full of colour and laughter and music. a young man leads them: bright eyes, harmonious voice, crocuses and lilacs in his hair, rainbow flag in hand. you think he’s beautiful. he smiles at you and your head starts spinning. months later you see him again: he leads again, this time the crowd angry at injustice listens to his every word. his eyebrows are furrowed, he speaks about unity, empathy, and the need to drive the fascists out of our cities. he has never been more beautiful.
Mokosh the train is loud and crowded and you still have hours until your destination. you’re tired and your bags are heavy and it feels like the weight of the world rests on your shoulders alone. you found an empty compartment but before you could feel any relief, a mother with a small child came in as well. the child is crying and screaming and no songs or sweets can calm him down. you’re mad, but you know that she’s probably ten times more tired than you are. then a lady walks in and you’re sure you must’ve seen her when you were a child. her voice is warm and sweet, and as soon as she starts talking, the baby stops crying. she offers you and the mother some apples and doughnuts with rose jam, and you feel like you can tell her everything and she’ll understand. when you get out at your stop you immediately call your mother to say things you should have said a long time ago.
Morana it’s New Years Eve and everyone is excited; loud conversations and loud music, tunes that are a must have every year. the champagne glass feels cold and fragile in your hands like it’s made of ice. they all count, the fireworks go off and rain down on you with ash and sparks. you feel empty when you have no one to kiss this year. and soon everyone goes back inside and you’re alone, the night is dark and silent. it starts snowing and the snowflakes look like petals of white chrysanthemums. then you notice her standing in the wind: she’s wearing a thin long dress but she’s not cold at all. she doesn’t talk to you, but her eyes find yours. you don’t feel alone. something broke in you tonight, something ended. but it’s all for good. this is a new beginning. she nods and slowly walks away and after a moment the only thing you can see is snow dancing in the night.
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