Anna Akhmatova
Response

To V. A. Komarovsky

This quiet April day imparted
Words full of strangeness and mystique.
You knew that I was still faint-hearted
From the distressing Maundy week.

I didn’t hear the ringing clang
That swam up high in azure glaze.
Either a copper laughter rang
Or silver tears, for seven days.

Still covering my face, I cried,
As if before the parting moment,
And waited for it to arrive,
Not recognizing it as torment.

Translated by Andrey Kneller