Poetry of Sergey Aleksandrovich Yesenin
Letter to a Woman |
You remember, You remember, of course, everything, Me standing, Near the wall, Excitedly you walked about the room Throwing something sharp in my face. You said: It's time for us to part, That you are tortured By my stormy life, It's time for you to get back to business, And for me -- To move on. My love! You didn't love me. You didn't know, that in the people's pot I was like a horse run to lather Spurred by a bold rider. You didn't realize, That I, in bewiderment, in a storm damaged routine And suffering, that I did not comprehend, -- Where destiny's rocky course was leading us. Face to face A face is unseen. The truth can be seen only at a distance. When the sea's mirror is forment, The ship is in dilapidation. The earth -- a ship! But somebody, right of the blue For new breath, new fortune In the thick of these storms and tempests, straight Steered her magnificently. But which of us on a large deck Didn't fall, didn't vomit, didn't curse? They are few, with an experienced old soul, Who have stayed stalwart in the tumult So it was then that I, Inexperienced and unsure of what to do, Descended below deck, to the cabin, In the face of the wild storm, Not wanting to see the sickness. That cabin was -- Was a Russian kabak. And I leant over the glass, So as not to see the suffering, To destroy myself In the drunken haze. My love! I tortured you There was suffering In your tired eyes: At me wasting myself, before you, In scandalous exhibitions. But what you didn't know, Was that I, In bewilderment, in a storm damaged routine, And suffering, that I did not comprehend, Where destiny's rocky course was leading us... ................................................. Now years have passed, I'm in another time. I'm feeling, thinking differently. And I'm raising a glass of wine to the holiday: Cheers and good fortune to the captain's ship! Today I Am overwhelmed by tenderness. I remember your melancholy, your weariness. And here now I hurry to enlighten you Of what I've become! My love! I escaped being shipwrecked on the rocks. Now in my Soviet life I'm a busy fellow traveler. I 've changed, I'm not the person, I used to be, I wouldn't torment you, As I used to. For beneath the banner of freedom And fair work I'm ready to go to the edge of the earth. Forgive me... I know your not staying -- You're leaving With a serious, intelligent husband; You don't need our drudgery And you no longer need me. Live the way The stars beckon you, Under the shadow of a new shelter. With greetings Always remembering you Sergey Yesenin 1924 |