No, today I do not want you,
Memory, so just hold your tongue,
You vainglorious procuress,
Don’t procure me anyone.
Don’t seduce me down dark alleys,
To the places left behind –
To the bold or to the timid
Lips I’ve kissed so many times.
Sacrilegiously inspired,
I have ploughed my heart soil up, –
Rooting out the names of lovers
From my sacred calendars.
Не хочу тебя сегодня.
Пусть язык твой будет нем.
Память, суетная сводня,
Не своди меня ни с кем.
Не мани по темным тропкам,
По оставленным местам
К этим дерзким, этим робким
Зацелованным устам.
С вдохновеньем святотатцев
Сердце взрыла я до дна.
Из моих любовных святцев
Вызываю имена.
«A lilac heat was heavy on the meadow, / High in the wood cathedral's darkness swelled. / What in the world was left still for their kisses? / It was all theirs, soft wax in fingers held. Such is the dream — you do not sleep, but only / Dream that you thirst for sleep, that someone lies / ...»
«The air is whipped by the frequent rain-drops; / The ice is grey and mangy. Ahead / You look for the skyline to awaken / And start; you wait for the drone to spread. As always, with overcoat unbuttoned. / With muffler about his chest undone. / He pursues before him the unsleeping / Sill...»
«Unforgettable September is strewn about Spasskoye, / Is to-day not time to leave the cottage here? / Beyond the fence Echo has shouted with the herdsman. / And in the woods has made the axe’s stroke ring clear. Last night outside the park the chilling marshes shivered. / The moment the su...»
«Stars raced headlong. Seaward headlands lathered. / Salt spray blinded. Eyes dried up their tears. / Darkness filled the bedrooms. Thoughts raced headlong. / To Sahara Sphinx turned patient ears. Candles guttered. Blood, it seemed, was frozen / In the huge Colossus. Lips at play / Swelled...»