Tango with the Cows
To H. N. Slavorosov (One of Russia's first aviators)
Life is briefer than a sparrow's squeal.
But could that be a dog that sails there
on the icy block
over the springtime river?
While we, with joy of tinder,
Stare upon our fate.
We – the Discoverers of Countries –
And we – the Conquerors of Airs –
The kings of orange groves,
The lifestockmagnates.
So, should we drink ourselves,
Perhaps,
A cup of wine
To toast the health of Comets,
The Comets streaming out with diamond blood?
Or better yet - wind up our gramophone?
Oh well - to hell with y'all!
The hornless and the irons!
I want to dance – to dance alone –
A tango with the cows –
And toss my bridges over –
From the tears
Of a bullheaded jealousy
Right to the tears
Of a scarlet girl.
Greet the Revolution’s Morning
Do greet each other gladly with your smiles,
And crown all flowers with your hearts.
Do dream on dawns
Above your childish wobbles,
Where crosses shine upon pink ribbons;
Be inexhaustible poets of days
Belonging to mornings in blood!
Throw from your hearts
The words made of crystal
Right into the heart of love.
Fly ringing with freedom and rimming like birds,
Weaving your nests upon the rose Dawns,
With spring-like, and clear, and youth-breathing faces,
Keep smiling inside lilac groves!
Sing, as the sun, with sun-glistened poems
Ringing the bells of fun days,
Call to and play with all cleanly kids,
And live to throw constant housewarmings.
But whenever you meet miraculous pressures,
Do sing of Revolution’s glory
At length, with desperation –
And let the mountains be in awe.