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“To Sergei” by Marina Tsvetaeva 🇷🇺 (8 Oct 1892 – 31 Aug 1941)
Translated from the Russian by Ilya Shambat
You could not make peace with your dismay, and
Conquered laughter that wounds pitying.
Like a candle at a piano, burning
Lighter than all others in the heaven.
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And thus stated Christ, father of love:
“Mom is mourning for you downstairs,
Her soul is sadder than empty temple,
World is woeful. Call her to yourself.”
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Since that time, when yellow is the wood,
She alone through gold of leaves is looking
As if though something she is seeking
In the darkness of the heaven blue.
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And when lean to soil autumn flowers
Like, without laughter, a childish look
From bright lips, like an echo, is tearing
A quiet moan: “Oh, my boy, it is you!”
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Call, oh call, with greater might her call!
Of the earth, where all is trouble,
And of how lovely to be with God is,
Tell me everything, for kids know all!
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Life is joy or madness, you have known,
You have gone, not bothering the doubts…
You have gone … Sergei, you’ve been a wise one!
World is woeful. God does not have woe!