The Lord has rewarded me
With a light-filled and iron heart.
With a gift of singing, a tearful gift.
The Lord has protected me
With a white flag.
The Lord has passed me by
With the carnal flame.
Hold higher the flag!
The Lord above us!
Heavier than stone —
The carnal flame!
Наградил меня Господь
Сердцем светлым и железным,
Даром певчим, даром слезным.
Оградил меня Господь
Белым знаменем.
Обошёл меня Господь
Плотским пламенем.
Выше — знамя!
Бог над нами!
Тяжче камня —
Плотский пламень!
«To V. Novokshenov Dwarf birches are what you and I are. / We sit like splinters tight together / beneath the nail of frosty finger. And so the Khanate, permafrosted, / in crudeness beats all it’s accosted. / It’s not ashamed to us embarrass — / does that surprise you, trees of Pari...»
«The sundial traces passing time in shadow. / And through the waves there cuts a passing ship. / And I know nothing better than this tableau — / The sheen of spires, the gleam of waters’ grip! Lane narrows like a slit as it grows darker. / The sparrows perch upon the trolley wires. / M...»
«Although all nature now is dormant, / My love alone it restless lies; / It heeds your breath and every movement / And only you can hold its eyes. So suffer then my conversation, / To me alone your dreams devote; / Reserve for me your adoration / And, as you answer, on me dote. Oh, answ...»
«It’s useless. It is not my role / To be another great Lord Byron, / Like him I’m slave to straying’s siren, / And yet I have a Russian soul. / I sooner blazed, flame soon will gutter / Though mind a little will achieve; / As bobs on ocean jetsam’s clutter / Soul’s burden of d...»