Sergey Esenin
A Village Hut

Old hut, barely one room,
Often, the blizzards cry
At your door; gloom
And worry come-by and

When a bad year befalls,
Hunger comes along;
Laments within your walls
Rob the notes from a song.

Bitterness, everyone sings
About: neediness, duress,
The evil and sad things,
Where is joy, happiness?

In your walls — no harmony,
Happy songs do not dwell,
For happiness and acrimony
Do not mix well.

Translated by K. M. W. Klara