Marina Tsvetaeva
At Age Fifteen

Ring, sing, oblivion preventing,
The words "fifteen years old" in my soul.
Why, did I grow up and become big?
Nothing consoles.

Just yesterday, into green grove of birches
Free, in the morning I ran away.
Just yesterday I frolicked without hairdo,
Just yesterday!

Spring ringing of the far-away belltowers
Told me: "Run and sit and lie!"
And every step frolicking was allowed,
And every cry!

What is ahead? What failure lies before me?
In all deceit, all is forbidden.
Thus, crying, with dear childhood I parted
At age fifeen.

Translated by Ilya Shambat