Bulat Okudzhava
The old jacket

to Zh. B.

I have a shabby jacket on,
It’s rather old and quite worn out.
I ask the tailor to come round
and alter it before too long.

I tell him playfully: «You see,
the jacket needs an alteration,
the art and skill of dress creation
will bring the best of luck to me».

I say it playfully, in fun,
but he is serious, not laughing.
He worries fearing that something
may come amiss. A funny man.

He is exceedingly intent
on mending it, and seems to like it;
he wants the renovated jacket
to make me happy and content.

And this is how he sees the plan:
when he has done with alteration
I will believe in your affection...
But he is wrong. A funny man.

Translated by Alec Vagapov