Nikolay Grebnev

Even they, for whom their fate allowed                
Only five last minutes of their life,
Still make fuss, still bustle and go all out,
As if would for ages be alive.

And afar, in silence, born by ages,
Looking at the people, hot and stiff,
Mountains lay in grandeur and sadness,
As if having fife minutes to live.


Translated by Yevgeny Bonver, June, 2001