Andrei Voznesensky: Five Poems Page 2

Миллион роз

  Жил-был художник один,

  домик имел и холсты.

  Но он актрису любил,

  ту, что любила цветы.

  Он тогда продал свой дом –

  Продал картины и кров –

  и на все деньги купил

  целое море цветов.

  Миллион, миллион, миллион алых роз

  из окна видишь ты.

  Кто влюблён, кто влюблён, кто влюблён – и всерьёз! –

  свою жизнь для тебя превратит в цветы.

  Утром встаёшь у окна –

  может, сошла ты с ума?

  Как продолжение сна,

  площадь цветами полна.

  Похолодеет душа –

  что за богач там чудит?

  А за окном без гроша

  Бедный художник стоит.

  Встреча была коротка.

  В ночь её поезд увёз.

  Но в её жизни была

  песня безумная роз.

  Прожил художник один.

  Много он бед перенёс.

  но в его жизни была

  целая площадь из роз.

  1981

  Million roses

  There was painter once,

  Owned a small home and his art.

  But there’s an actress he loved,

  Flowers were dear to her heart.

  So he sold his house on a whim –

  His art and his roof, undeterred -

  And spent all the money to buy

  A whole sea of flowers for her.

  A million, million, million red roses here,

  From you room, from your room, from your room, you can view.

  One in love, one in love, one in love – that’s sincere! -

  Will transform life into flowers for you.

  Outside the window, you gaze -

  Maybe your mind’s in a daze?

  Your dream is continuing there,

  Flowers have covered the square.

  Your soul turns cold, overwhelmed –

  What affluent man went offbeat?

  But there, not a penny in hand,

  The painter stands in the street.

  Their meeting was fleeting, of course.

  She left on the train in the night.

  But in her life there once was

  The mad song of roses outside.

  The painter lived all alone.

  Through much misfortune and gloom.

  But in his life there once was

  A square full of roses in bloom.

  1981

  Andrei Voznesensky (May 12, 1933 – June 1, 2010) was one of the most original and daring poets of the Soviet Era. As a 14-year old, he sent his poems to Boris Pasternak, and soon became his apprentice. He graduated as an architect in 1957, but a fire in the institute, which was symbolic to young Voznensensky, caused him to reconsider his career and he chose instead to focus on his poetry. His first publications in the late 50’s caused a sensation. After successful trips abroad to Europe and US, Voznesensky attracted the attention of such prominent people as president Kennedy and Marylin Monroe. His success abroad led to jealousy at home and he was publicly attacked, humiliated and threatened with exile by the General Secretary of the Communist Party, Nikita Khrushchev. His poetry was so popular in Russia, that he would easily pack stadiums with his readings. He was very active in the theater and wrote a number of songs that became extremely popular with the people. He continued to write poetry until the end of his life. Andrei Voznesensky passed away in Moscow on June 1, 2010 of complications from asthma and heart condition.

  Thank you for taking the time to read my work. Translation is a labor of love. Over time, what I’ve learned is that you often get back what you put into it. I enjoy every minute of it as it allows me to not only delve deeper into the poetry I love, but to also share this love with you, my readers.

  I providing this short collection for free as a sample of the quality of my work. My hope is that it will lead you to explore my other books of Russian poetry translations. For a full-list of my books, see the following page.

  If you enjoyed my work and have a moment to spare, I would really appreciate a short review. Your help in spreading the word is gratefully received.

  Also, I would like to invite you to visit my new website dedicated to the work of another great Russian poet, Anna Akhmatova: www.annaakhmatova.com There, you can read and download ebooks, see the latest translations on my personal blog, and find out more information about this wonderful poet. As always don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions and/or comments.

  Sincerely,

  Andrey Kneller

  Also by Andrey Kneller:

  Wondrous Moment: Selected Poetry of Alexander Pushkin

  White Flock: Poetry of Anna Akhmatova

  Evening: Poetry of Anna Akhmatova

  Final Meeting: Selected Poetry of Anna Akhmatova

  My Poems: Selected Poetry of Marina Tsvetaeva

  Backbone Flute: Selected Poetry of Vladimir Mayakovsky

  February: Selected Poetry of Boris Pasternak

  Unfinished Flight: Selected Poetry of Vladimir Vysotsky

  O, Time…: Selected Poetry of Victoria Roshe

  Discernible Sound: Selected Poetry

  The Stranger: Selected Poetry of Alexander Blok