«The lives of us all are moulded / At birth — such is my belief. / I well might, if not а poet, / Have been а rogue or а thief. А thin little boy, but ever / А hero in the eyes of those / Young playmates of mine, I' d often / Come home with а bleeding nose. In а thick voice I'd...»
«Self-deception is not in my nature, / On my heart there weighs а thought appalling: / How come I have earned the reputation / Of а charlatan, а tavern-brawler? I’m no thug, I've not stopped folk and stripped them, / Shot wretches in jail or other places. / I’m а rake, the kind you...»
«It's settled! Yes, it is forever / I have left my native fields. / Never more shall rustling poplars / Shed on me their winged leaves. I'll not watch the old home crumbing. / My old dog died long ago. / In the winding streets of Moscow / I'll die — since God wills it so. I love this...»
«This street is so very familiar / And this humble cottage too. / Now wires are thrown over the window / Like а bundle of straws, bright blue. There were years of much bitter suffering, / Of strength that was willful and wild. / I recall early days in the country, / The blue hues of the...»