SAGA
Charley's Poetry Corner presents Andrei Voznesensky (translated by William Jay Smith and Vera Dunham). Is he addressing a lover or his beloved Russia?
You will awaken me at dawn And barefoot lead me to the door; You’ll not forget me when I’m gone, You will not see me any more. Lord, I think, in shielding you From the cold wind of the open door: I’ll not forget you when I’m gone, I shall not see you any more. The Admiralty, the Stock Exchange I’ll not forget when I’m gone I’ll not see Leningrad again, Its water shivering at dawn. From withered cherries as they turn Brown in the wind, let cold tears pour. It’s bad luck always to return. I shall not see you any more. And if what Hafiz says is true And we return to earth once more, We’ll miss each other if it’s true; I shall not see you any more. Our quarrels then will fade away To nothing when we both are gone, And when one day our two lives clash Against that void to which they’re drawn Two silly phrases rise to sway On heights of madness from earth’s floor: I’ll not forget you when I’m gone. I shall not see you any more.
