Margarita Aliger

I see from my house a person.
He’s not in a hurry, at least.
On a slope of this twenty century,
He goes, while stirring the leaves.

Where to does he bear his soul
And it’s non-extinguishable light?
But I will not touch his great dole.
I silently see his track, bright.

My cry will not make him the restless.
Let him go away my life through,
The great, in his peace of the greatness.
I want understand just – “where to”.


Translated by Yevgeny Bonver, August, 2001