Anna Akhmatova - The evening light

* * *
The evening light is steeped in gold

And April chill is mild and tender.

You’re late by eons, unforetold,

I’m glad to welcome my attender.

Sit close in a cozy nook,

Look on with cheerful expression:

Here’s my blue cover notebook

With childish rhyming indiscretions.

Forgive me that I lived in woe,

That sunny days could hardly change it.

Forgive that many times before

I looked for you in random strangers.

1915

Translated by Dina Belyayeva

Russian original

Biography

Anna Akhmatova - On his hand...

* * *

On his hand you may see many glittering rings,

Those are tender girls’ hearts, rightful trophies of flings.

There a diamond exults and an opal daydreams,

And a beautiful ruby emits crimson whims.

But on his pallid hand my gemstone will not shine,

None shall ever be granted this jewel of mine.

In my dream a gold ray of the moon forged this ring

As it slipped on my finger it whispered to me:

“Safeguard my precious gift; treat your fancy with pride!”

I will not fail my ring. There’ll be none to confide.

1907

Translated by Dina Belyayeva

Russian Original

Biography