Zinaida Gippius
Electricity

Two threads are closely hafted,
The ends are unconfined.
'Tis «yea» and «nay», — not grafted,
Not grafted, — but entwined.
Dim is the weft that mates them
Close and inanimate,
But wakening awaits them,
And they the same await.
End unto end is taken,
Fresh «yea» and «nay» ignite,
And «yea» and «nay» awaken,
Into one moulding shaken,
And from their death comes, — light.

Translated by Paul Selver