Innokenty Annensky
It happened at Vallen-Koski

It happened at Vallen-Koski.
Rain was falling from hazy
Clouds, and wet, yellow planks
Flowed down the dismal slopes.

Since the cold night we had been
Yawning, and tears came into our
Eyes; for fun they threw a doll in
For the fourth time that morning.

The sodden doll dived obediently
Into the gray waterfall, and at first
It whirled round for a long time, for
All as though it longed to go back.

But in vain the foam licked at the
Joints of its arms pressed to its
Sides-its salvation was predestined
For new and yet newer torments.

See how the turbulent current is
Already yellowing, submissive
And drowsy; the Finn was honest.
And took half a rouble for the job.

And there - the doll is already
On a stone, and the river is
Flowing on... This comedy was
Distressing to me on that gray morning.

There can be such a sky, and such
A play of rays, that our heart feels
An insult to a doll is more
Piteous than an insult to oneself.

Like the leaves then, we are sensitive: as
If it had come to life, the gray stone has
Become our friend, but a friend’s voice,
Like a child’s violin, is out of tune.

And in our heart is a deep consciousness
That with it was born only fear,
That it is lonely in the world,
Like the old doll in the waves...

Translated by R. H. Morrison