Margarita Aliger

Yes and No

If right now, I were  
only eighteen years old,
I would most prefer 
to sent back the “no”-word! 

If, right now, I were 
of my twenty two years,
I would most prefer
To reply just by “yes”!

But for years of our lots,
For all difficult years,
Not enough of small words, 
As are “no” or “yes”

They have not enough mightiness
to retell you my soul:
So, if I’m in silence,
stop ask questions at all.


Translated by Yevgeny Bonver, March, 2001