Nikolay Nekrasov
The Salt Song

(From "Who Can Live Happily in Russia?")

God's will be done!
No food he'll try,
The youngest son—
Look, he will die.

A crust I got,
Another bit—
He touched it not:
"Put salt on it!"

Of salt no shred,
No pinch I see!
"Take flour, instead,"
God whispered me.

Two bites, or one—
His mouth he pouts,
The little son.
"More salt!" he shouts.

The bit appears
Again all floured,
And wet with tears
It was devoured.

The mother said
She'd saved her dear. . . .
Salt was the bread—
How salt the tear!

Translated by Babette Deutsch and Avrahm Yarmolinsky