Vladislav Khodasevich
A tight rope walker

(An epigram to a silhoette )

From rooftop to rooftop a rope is tied taut.
Upon it, an acrobat's fame is sought.

A stick in his hands, he's at ease, like a scale
The spectators lean, strain their necks, «Will he fail?»

The crowds shove, whisper, «Look, look, he might fall...»
The hustles, the rustles, all eyes are enthralled.

Left window. A granny stares raising her brows.
A playboy on right sips his wine to the «Wows».

No clouds mar the sky and the rope is tied taut.
With light steps an acrobat's fame is sought.

And if the street jester careens, stumbles, falls,
They'll genuflect, gasp, gather round — fickle souls.

Young poet, pass by with disinterested look...
Don't you and the jester employ the same hook?

Translated by Athena