#Twentieth century Russian poetry: silver and steel: an anthology

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Fog. the road I usually wander down Unwinds before me. I do not Expect much from the future …  Nothing -- to be precise. I don't believe in God's mercy. I don't believe in hellfires.

Georgy Ivanov (1894-1958), from “Fog”, translated from the Russian by Daniel Weissbort in “Twentieth century Russian poetry: silver and steel: an anthology” (1993) “Туман. Передо мной дорога,  По ней привычно я бреду.  От будущего я немного,  Точнее — ничего не жду.  Не верю в милосердье Бога,  Не верю, что сгорю в аду.”

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Ksenya Nekrasova, from Twentieth Century Russian Poetry: Silver and Steel: an anthology; “The Blind Man,” tr. by Vera Rich

[lawrencepubliclibrary]

April is here, and you know what that means, right? It’s national poetry month! Here is a list of poetry (and some criticism, too) that will surely peak your passion for poetry. This April do yourself a favor! Take some time our of your busy schedule and relax with a book of poetry. Also, don't forget to check out Poets.org if you are looking for creative ways to celebrate national poetry month! 

Young Romantics: The Tangled Lives of English Poetry's Greatest Generation by Daisy Hay

The Poetry of Our World

To the Stars: Kansas Poets of the Ad Astra Poetry Project

Twentieth Century Russian Poetry, Silver and Steel : An Anthology

Poetry in Person

Modern Poetry of Pakistan

An Invitation to Poetry: A New Favorite Poem Project Anthology

The FSG Book of Twentieth-century Latin American Poetry

Harper's Anthology of 20th Century Native American Poetry

The Best of the Best American Poetry

The Shambhala Anthology of Chinese Poetry

Beauty is a Verb: The New Poetry of Disability

The Oxford Anthology of African-American Poetry

American War Poetry: An Anthology

The 20th Century in Poetry

The Yale Anthology of Twentieth-century French Poetry

Posted by Taylor in Information Services

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And, if with heaven in my eyes, I press your body, then know It's only fear that tries, Not to drown alone below.

Nikolay Otsup (1894-1958), from “The Whole Room ...”, translated from the Russian by Albert C. Todd in “Twentieth century Russian poetry: silver and steel: an anthology” (1993) “ И, если с небом в глазах Я тело твое сожму, То знай: это только страх, Чтоб тонуть не одному. “

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Aleksandr Blok, from Twentieth Century Russian Poetry: Silver and Steel: an anthology; “In the Dunes,” tr. by Geoffrey Thurley

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When I lie down to die, I shall not curse my fate for long. I'll simply take to my bed, Forgive everyone and  Forget everything.

Valentin Katayev (1897-1986), “When I lie down to die …” (1944), translated from the Russian by Bernard Meares in “Twentieth century Russian poetry: silver and steel: an anthology” (1993)  “ Когда я буду умирать,  О жизни сожалеть не буду.  Я просто лягу на кровать  И всем прощу. И все забуду. “

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We are that ship which is going down, And the one who sank it.

Georgy Rayevsky (1897-1962), from “You think …” translated from the Russian by Albert C. Todd in “Twentieth century Russian poetry: silver and steel: an anthology” (1993) [ here … the whole tragedy of the Russian emigration in 2 lines ... ] “ Мы — тот корабль, который тонет,  И тот, кто потопил его. “

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He who has loved cannot love again, Consumed by flames, he cannot be relit.

Sergey Yesenin (1895-1925), from “You feel no love” (1925), translated from the Russian by Daniel Weissbort in “Twentieth century Russian poetry: silver and steel: an anthology” (1993) “ Кто любил, уж тот любить не может, Кто сгорел, того не подожжешь. “

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She loves me ? She loves me not ?  I crack my knuckles, knead my hands, and fling My broken fingers to the winds.

Vladimir Mayakovsky (1893-1930), from “She loves me ? She loves me not ?“ (1928-1930), translated from the Russian by Bernard Meares in “Twentieth century Russian poetry: silver and steel: an anthology” (1993) “ Любит ? не любит ? Я руки ломаю  и пальцы разбрасываю разломавши “

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I wait for the mouth to cherry in a kiss And from it, like a kiss's stone, For a moan to jump out.

Vadim Shershenevich (1893-1942), from “Plot With Bitterness” (1919), translated from the Russian by Daniel Weissbort in “Twentieth century Russian poetry: silver and steel: an anthology” (1993) “Я жду, когда рот поцелуем завишнится  И из него косточкой поцелуя выскочит      стон”

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We have forgotten how to offer alms, And meet the dawn, and breath the sea's salt heavens, And go in shops, and count from our palms Our copper trash against the gold of lemons.

Nikolay Tikhonov (1896-1979), from “We have forgotten … ”, translated from the Russian by Michael Frayn in “Twentieth century Russian poetry: silver and steel: an anthology” (1993) “ Мы разучились нищим подавать,  Дышать над морем высотой соленой,  Встречать зарю и в лавках покупать  За медный мусор — золото лимонов. “

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Can scraps of happiness last forever ? Is this omnipresent "might" for always ?

Vadim Shershenevich (1893-1942), from “Plot With Bitterness” (1919), translated from the Russian by Daniel Weissbort in “Twentieth century Russian poetry: silver and steel: an anthology” (1993) “ Неужели же вечно радости объедки ?  Навсегда ль это всюдное «бы» ?  “

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You feel no love or pity for me, Is there something repulsive in my looks ? You turn aside, trembling with passion Drape your arms around my neck.

Sergey Yesenin (1895-1925), from “You feel no love” (1925), translated from the Russian by Daniel Weissbort in “Twentieth century Russian poetry: silver and steel: an anthology” (1993) “ Ты меня не любишь, не жалеешь, Разве я немного не красив ? Не смотря в лицо, от страсти млеешь, Мне на плечи руки опустив. “

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My friend, my friend, How sick I am. Nor do I know Whence came this sickness.

Sergey Yesenin (1895-1925), from “The Black man” (1925), translated from the Russian by Geoffrey Thurley in “Twentieth century Russian poetry: silver and steel: an anthology” (1993) ” Друг мой, друг мой, Я очень и очень болен. Сам не знаю, откуда взялась эта боль. “

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I know the force of words, I know their clarion call. They aren't the words applauded in the stalls, Such words rouse coffins from the grave And bring them striding on oaken legs !

Vladimir Mayakovsky (1893-1930), from “I know the force of words …”, translated from the Russian by Bernard Meares in “Twentieth century Russian poetry: silver and steel: an anthology” (1993)  “Я знаю силу слов, я знаю слов набат. Они не те, которым рукоплещут ложи. От слов таких срываются гроба шагать четверкою своих дубовых ножек.”

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Only making sacrifice cleanses the path and speaks to the soul about the soul.

Alexander Ginger (1897-1965), from “Name” translated from the Russian by Albert C. Todd in “Twentieth century Russian poetry: silver and steel: an anthology” (1993) “ Только жертвенность путь очищает  и душе о душе говорит. “