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“My bearing is simple …” by Marina Tsvetaeva 🇷🇺 (8 Oct 1892 – 31 Aug 1941)
Translated from the Russian by Vera Graziadei
My bearing is simple,
Poor is my homely roof.
Y’see, I’m an islander
From isles very far-off.
​
I live—don’t need anyone!
You entered—don’t sleep nights.
To heat a stranger’s dinner—
Will set my house alight.
​
You glanced—now we are friendly,
You entered—now live here!
Our laws are written in blood,
So they are plainly clear.
​
We’ll lure the Moon from skies
Into the palm—sweet choice.
And if you go—you were not.
And I—as if never was.
​
I stare at the knife’s trail:
Will it heal over quick?
Until another stranger,
Who will instruct me: “Drink”.