Osip Mandelshtam
Enough of sniveling!..

Enough of sniveling! Shove our papers in the desk,
By a fancy devil I’m now possessed
As if my favorite barber, Francois,
Had shampooed my hair to the roots.

I’ll make a bet Pm not yet dead,
And like a jockey, I’ll stake my head
That I can still create an impact
And stir up trouble on the racetrack.

I’ll keep in mind it’s nineteen thirty-one; —
The glorious year’s in cherry bloom,
The worms are swollen after rain
And all of Moscow floats on skiffs.

Don’t fret. Impatience we can ill afford.
Bit by bit I’ll pick up speed.
With a steady pace we’ll stay ahead —
I’ve kept my distance, held my lead.

Translated by Bernard Meares