Tuesday, March 5, 2019

Who Cares to Listen to Songs? (A Russian Poem)



     Translated by Brett Rutherford
     from the Russian
of Anna Akhmatova

Who cares to listen to songs
now that the prophecy of bitter days is true?
Hear me, old songs: the world has ceased
its being marvelous.
So hush, and do not break my heart.

Like swallows, not long ago
you led the morning out, ignoring its risks.
Now songs must lead a desperate life,
begging for crumbs at strangers’ doors.



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