Marina Tsvetaeva
Patient, patient, like gravel’s grind...

Patient, patient, like gravel’s grind,
Patient, patient, like death in mind,
Patient, patient, like news unwinding,
Patient, patient, like vengeance finding —

Wait! Awaiting you (tight, fingers’ plait —
Like a serf by grand queen when bidden).
Patient, patient, like rhyming’s wait,
Patient, patient, like hands are bitten.

Wait! Awaiting you (earthy glance,
Teeth to lips. It’s locked jaw. Or flagstone.)
Patient, patient, like dallied trance,
Patient, patient, like beaded stringing.

Creak of sleigh, and door’s riposting creak:
Caterwauls the storm-wreaking taiga.
From on high has come the edict:
Tsardom’s gone — behold noble enters.

Time for home:
Heaven-home —
My home.

Translated by Rupert Moreton