I did these poetry translations a while ago. Perhaps someone may be interested in reading them. It's very difficult to translate poetry, so of course these don't sound as good as the originals...
A letter to Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich
… Merciless fate
Separates us once more for a while,
Again you and I are crestfallen,
Deprived of each other.
Towards the north, so gloomy and distant
Sad destiny dragged you away;
For a kingdom of snow, winters and storms
You exchanged magnificent south.
Bliss of the days bygone
Will you ever find in your native land,
Or in your passionate heart all around
Will you face only sorrow?
You cannot resurrect years bygone!
You cannot bring back times past!
Do you remember Strelna, dear Pavlovsk?
Do you remember Tsarskoe Selo?
And our gloomy autumn,
Now bitter cold, now warm?
And our happiness and troubles?
And our lengthy conversations
In the evening hours, just the two of us
Beside the samovar and tea?
While outside so dismally
The autumn wind was howling,
Rain whipping the windowpane,
And we, often incessantly
Chatted all night long,
Until dawn.
That precious time has passed!
No one dear to my heart remains, -
And you were left with a burden
Of memories of the years bygone.
But you, forgetting your bitter lot,
Like a pole bearer in a battle field,
Walk forward with your banner,
Go forward, and be courageous,
Toward a high goal with a strong will,
Aspire your passionate soul,
Aspire to the [?] of death
And in this life’s plight
Amidst all the failings, evil and deceit
Earn your happiness in battle!
3 October, 1881
Rain
To Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich
The rain is rustling the leaves,
In a heat-anguished garden
Its thirst will soon be sated;
Sweeter than aroma of flowers.
My friend, do not be afraid.
Look: flowers do not fear the thunderstorm,
They know they need the rain
For their beauty.
And like them, I am not afraid:
We will meet with happiness again…
Can our strong friendship
Be torn apart by the thunderstorms of life?
Happiness is not complete without tears;
Heavens look bluer beyond the clouds, -
If amidst the storm, sparkles
A joyful ray of sun.
4 July, 1888
(Title Unknown)
In magical semi darkness of April night
You, my verse so dreamily glorious
From the depths of my soul were wrenched again
At blossoming earth I glance
And, in delight of spring, of night, I listen…
What silence, what wonder!
Pavlovsk
21 April, 1906
