Marina Tsvetaeva
Student. 4. The wooden load...

4

The wooden load
Below waves fell.
Two eternal ones quietly
Ascended the hill.

Tightly — shoulder to shoulder —
They stand, don't talk.
Two breaths are walking
Under one cloak.

The leader of yesterday's and
Today's sleeping wars
Silently stand by
The double black tower.

They stand wiser than serpents,
Milder than doves.
Father, take me back into
Your life above!

Smoke of the wars of the Lord
Across the sky.
Struggles the cloak, raised
With double sigh.

Prays and trembles, jealousy
Eats out the sight...
Father, take me into sunset,
Into your night!

Breathe deserts, they celebrate
The night's entry...
Son falls like a ripe fruit
Heavily.

Quiet is the human flock
Within its fold.
Calm are the two alit
On hill of gold.

Translated by Ilya Shambat