Oleh Kowerko

Oleh Kowerko (Ukrainian: Олег Коверко; born May 7, 1937) is a Ukrainian and American poet, Member of the New York Group of Poets. Was a President of the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art (UIMA).

Life and career

Born in Vaha, a village near Pidhaitsi, Ternopil region. Received secondary education in New York City and a college degree at the University of Chicago in general literature. In 1971 becomes one of the founders of the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art (UIMA). 1971-1974 was a treasurer, 1974-1992 and 1995-2007 was a president, 2007 until now a secretary at UIMA.

Poetry

First poems were published in the mid-60s, in the second poetry collection “Slovo” from the Ukrainian Writers Association, “Modernity” ("Suchasnist") and “New Poetry” journals in 1965. Oleh Kowerko is an author of two books of poetry in Ukrainian:

• “Eskizy nad viddallyu” (“Sketches over Distance”) in 1966,
• “Vtecha” (“Escape”) in 1969.

Since the mid-1970s, has not been involved in the literary scene. Lives in Chicago, Illinois.

An example of poetry:

SKETCHES OVER DISTANCE Distance — a willful breath of a distant wind, sprinting through drowsy fields, untangling green grass mounds with touches of bare feet. Distance — a stolen gift of trimmed roses that bring back memories and you in low tides of this herbal warmth. Distance — a thought weary from vigor that pulsates with harsh constant rhythm, penetrates with a stem of solitude through bars of kaleidoscopic sentiments. Distance — a white flicker of wings on the streams of palms that branch the sway of trees and trembling of white marble on a tract of blue currents.

— Oleh Kowerko translated by Olga Gerasymiv.