Marina Tsvetaeva English translations copyright (c) 1998 Poem of the End (Ardis, 1998), 190 pp. ISBN: 0-87501-112-8
Marina Tsvetaeva Translated from the Russian by Nina Kossman The Lord has rewarded me With a light-filled and iron heart. With a gift of singing, a tearful gift. The Lord has protected me With a white flag. The Lord has passed me by With the carnal flame. Hold higher the flag! The Lord above us! Heavier than stone-- The carnal flame! May 1918 __________________________________________________________ Marina Tsvetaeva Translated from the Russian by Nina Kossman I said, and another heard, Whispered to a third, who understood, And the fourth, taking his oak staff, Went into the night--to a heroic deed. The world made a song of it, and with that Song on my lips--O life!--I meet my death. 6 July 1918 __________________________________________________________ Marina Tsvetaeva Translated from the Russian by Nina Kossman TO GENIUS They christened us in the same tub, They wed us with the same wreath, They tortured us in the same jail, They branded us with the same iron. They will build us the same house. They will cover us with the same mound. 5 August 1918 __________________________________________________________ Marina Tsvetaeva Translated from the Russian by Nina Kossman My light tread --A sign of clear conscience-- My light tread, My ringing song-- God placed me alone In the midst of the great world. --You are not a woman but a bird, Therefore--fly and sing. 19 October 1918
