How many fell in this abyss

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlrqxeytOFA


How many people fell in this abyss,

I fathom from afar!

There will be time, and I will vanish too

From earth's exterior.


All will be still, that sang and that did struggle,

That glistened and rejoiced:

The greenness of my eyes, the gold of my hair,

And this my tender voice.


Life will continue with its soft hot bread,

With day's oblivion.

All will continue — under outstretched heavens

As if I'd never been!


Like children changeable in every mien

And angry not for long,

Who loved the times when in the fireplace

Into ash turned the log,


Violin and cavalcade within the forest

And in the village, bell...

Upon this dear earth — I will be no longer

That was alive and real!


To all — who are the friends and strangers

To me that never knew what was enough -

I turn to you with this my faith's demand

And a request of love.


Both day and night, in word and letter both:

For truth of yes and no,

For that though I am but twenty I am

So often in such sorrow,


For unavoidably my slights and trespasses

Will be forgiven me —

For all of my impetuous tenderness

And look too proud and free —


For quickness of events as they come rushing,

For truth, for play, say I —

Please hear me! But do also please love me

For this that I will die.


By Marina Tsvetayeva
Translated from Russian by Ilya Shambat