Marina Tsvetaeva
Wires. 1. By the chain of singing poles...

“If the heart's wave splashed not
Already so high, and became spirit,
If not the old dumb rock,
Fate, stood against her...”
Rainer Maria Rilke

1.

By the chain of singing poles,
Supporting the Empyrean,
I am sending you my portion of
Earthly ashes. Along an allée of
Sighs — along wires on poles —
By telegraph: I-lov-lov-love you...

I implore you... (a printed letter
would not do! A cable would be easier!)
On these poles, Atlas
Would have shortened the races
of the celestials...
Along those poles
By telegraph: g-oo-oodbye...

Do you hear? The last frustration from
My hoarse throat: for-gi-ive...
This — departure by sea,
Across the silent Atlantic fields:
Higher, higher - messages lost
in Ariadne's web: co–come-back
Turn around! .. Plaintive cries
Melancholically: I won't leave!

These wires of steel
guide the voice from Hell
Receding... into the distance
Imploring: com-passion...
Compassion! (Among this chorus — can you
Distiguish such noise?)

With that death cry
Releasing my passions —
Floats the sigh of Eurydice:
Across wall — and — moat
Eurydice: y-you
Alas no y —

Translated by unknown author