Georgy Ivanov
By the Sea

We went out of the stuffy room
Outside, the air languorous and sweet;
The lilac siblings of an indifferent family
Were staring from the balcony.

The piping of sea reeds
And rubies, tossed about the splashes…
We strolled aimlessly for a long while
In between rocks on the low coast.

The lacework of your dress —
So tender, wispily-subtle,
Like gauze on the foothills of a crucifixion,
Like the reveries and prayers of a child.

With the fire of unearthly revelations
Shone the distances of dusk,
And spears of unclear languor
Pierced the open soul.

The flame-coloured porphyry of dawn
Turned pale, languidly fading…
And it became misty and damp.
We hid behind the glass again.

Translated by Robert Falk