ANNA AKHMATOVA

(1889-1966)

Unsuited to my purpose in the rhyming Of martial odes or charming elegies. In verses everything should be untimely, No punctualities. I wish you were aware from what stray matter Springs poetry to prosper without shame, Like dandelions which the children scatter, Or pigweed of the lowly name. An angry shout, the molten tar's hot stinging, A magic growth of mould upon a wall... And straightaway the verse is gaily ringing To gladden one and all.
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, , ... , , , . Ne podhodit dlya moyei tseli v rifmy Boevyh ody ili ocharovatelnoi elegii. V stihah vse dolzhno byt nesvoevremennym, Net punctualities. YA zhelayu vam bylo izvestno, chto ot brodyachih vopros Springs poezii protsvetat bez styda, Kak oduvanchiki kotoryh deti razbros, Ili mar iz skromnogo imeni. Serdityi okrik, rasplavlennoi smoloi goryacho yazvitelnye, Tainstvennaya plesen na stene ... I srazu stih veselo zvon Chtoby poradovat vseh i kazhdogo.