Vladislav Khodasevich

I wait: some one will be knocked down
By any crazy car, at last,
The poor idler will be bound                               
To split his blood in road’s dust.

And from this flesh, all starts and goes:  
The swinging, vagary and pest,
A star will fell on earthly surface 
And water – have a bitter test.

They will be ceased – dreams, strangling soul,
All that I wish for – will be handled, 
And sun will be extinguished, whole,
By angels – as an extra candle.


Translated by Yevgeny Bonver, December, 2000