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“I trusted, I thought …” by Nikolai Gumilev 🇷🇺 (15 Apr 1886 – 26 Aug 1921)
Translated from the Russian by Joan Kovalevskaya
I trusted, I thought and the light for me shone at last.
For ever Creator let fate have my soul, forever.
I am sold and alone! My god went away so fast.
My buyer is looking at me—he is mocking and clever.
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My Yesterday rushes at me like a big flying hill
And like an abyss before me my Tomorrow goes.
I am on my way … But some day by abyss’ cruel will
The hill disappears … My road is useless, I know.
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And if by my will and desire I conquer the men,
And if in the night’s flying down to me inspiration,
If I am a poet, sorcerer—now and then
The Lord of the Universe—harder will be my damnation.
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And I had a dream that my heart, free of pain, didn’t cry,
In yellow China on motley pagoda it’s ringing.
My heart is a porcelain bell—in enamel dense sky
Exiting the flocks of the cranes it is affably singing.
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And tender meek girl in the dress of the red fine silks
Embroidered with flowers, wasps, dragons of old times,
Without a thought and a dream, cross-legged, quietly sits,
Intently, attentively listening to slight soothing chimes.