Sophia Parnok
Yes, I am alone. In the hour of parting...

Yes, I am alone. In the hour of parting
you foretold orphanhood for my soul.
Alone, just as man was in the universe
on the first day of creation!

But what you predicted, in futile anger,
isn’t fated to me alone —
the best and purest among us
reveal that they too feel like orphans.

And there’s nothing lofty or good about the one
who didn’t tremble, not even once,
grieving, at Tiutchev’s line:
“How can another understand you?”

Translated by Rainie Oet