“Lâdo lē, Lâdo!” – I Still Chant!

Bulgaria is world-wide known as The Country of Roses and has a valley named "Valley of the Roses." Its economy contributes 1/3 of the rose oil and 1/4 of the herbs and spices in the globe.

————

I am born in a country when the rose is

a symbol of national pride.

The rose oil is treasured more than a gold. 

Rose - What it is? A flower? A spice? 

An herb? A healer? Or a pretty scented face 

bursting aroma in the vase.

We harvest roses in the early morning, 

when only skylarks and nightingales sing. 

We make preserves from the petals; 

syruping cakes, baklava and pastry dished. 

Rose-hips tea heals

delivering abundance of Vitamin C.

The rose is the Queen of Love. 

Yes, rose is the one that spices and sparks

love in the heart - every time, 

not only as a Valentine's surprise

like in the West. In the East, 

maidens adorned with entwined blooms

in their braids and scented rose wreaths

dance under the full midnight moon

cast spells for The Prince to come.

“Lado le, Lado!” the prayer is sung. 

It is a broad range of events, 

but the most beautiful one is to look

at the glorious fence with dancing bees

and sip from a cup of a morning rose tea. 

“Lâdo lē, Lâdo!” – I still chant!

By Petrouchka Alexieva

From: United States