Meganom

1
Still far away are asphodels,
Transparent-graying spring
But in the meanwhile, here,
Sand rustles, and wave rings.
But now my soul has entered
Persephone's light home
In kingdom of the dead there are
No tanned and gorgeous arms.
2
Why do we trust the boat
With coffin urn's dead weight
And over amethyst waters
Black roses celebrate
My soul strives through the ether
Beyond Cape Meganom
Black sail returns from there
Carrying funeral gloom.
3
How fast the clouds are running
Unlighted and so soon
And black rose leaves are flying
Under this windy moon
And bird of death and weeping
Drags through a mourning stern
Huge flag of reminiscence
Behind a cypress stern.
4
The fan of summers opens
With sadness in my hand,
In darkness and with weeping
Amulet lost in sand,
My soul aims for that country
Beyond Cape Meganom
And black sail is returning
Carrying funeral gloom.

By Osip Mandelshtam
Translated from Russian by Ilya Shambat
https://sites.google.com/site/ibshambat