Zinaida Gippius
The light

Groans,
Groans,
Exhausted, fathomless,
The prolonged tolling
Of funeral bells.
Groans,
Groans...
        Complaints,
        Complaints against the Father...
        Burning, piercing pity,
        A yearning for the end,
        Complaints,
        Complaints...
The knot grows tighter, tighter,
The path — steeper, steeper.
All around — narrower, narrower, narrower
Gloomier—the clouds,
Terror obliterates my soul.
The knot strangles,
The knot grows tighter, tighter, tighter...
        Lord, O Lord — no!
        The prophetic heart keeps faith!
        My God, no!
        We remain under Thy wings.
        Terror. And groans. And darkness... but above these
        Thy unflinching Light.

Translated by Temira Pachmuss