Lesia Ukrainka (Larysa Petrivna Kosach) was a Ukrainian writer, translator, and cultural activist. She wrote in the genres of poetry, lyrics, epic, drama, prose, and journalism. She also worked in the field of folklore (220 folk melodies were recorded with her voice).

The poem «Smoke» is an example of civic lyrics, in which the author deeply asserts her national and political beliefs. The national idea is also imbued in such works of the writer as "Slave Songs", "Ancient Tale", dramatic poems "On the Field of Blood" and "Lawyer Martian".