Marina Tsvetaeva
Schoolgirl

I today all night long could not sleep
From the magickal month-of-May noise!
Quietly pulled on the pantyhose
And to the window slipped.

I'm a rebel with whirlwind in the blood,
Only passion and cold matter to me.
I have read Bourge too: One can't be
Happy when one is unloved.

«He's» rejected since he was twelve,
Plays but Greeg and but Liszt — and come look:
He is smart and well-read, like a book,
And a poet as well!

For but one of his looks of fire
I am ready to fall on my knees!
But my parents our happiness
Do not desire.

Translated by Ilya Shambat