By Georgiy Ivanov
(1930)
I'm hearing — history and the humankind,
I'm hearing — exile or else the native land.
In books I read — duplicity and benevolence,
Despair and hope, or faith and faithlessness.
And I see, — Something vast, tender —
And frightening, iced to the core,
Eternally hope-deprived.
And I see, — Torture or else forgetfulness, —
Where everything's lost, forevermore,
Its significance.
And I see, — Beyond all time and distances, —
Above the poor earth,
An unearthly shimmering.