Winter Morning

Cold frost and sunshine: day of wonder! But you, my friend, are still in slumber — Wake up, my beauty, time belies: You dormant eyes, I beg you, broaden Toward the northerly Aurora, As though a northern star arise! Recall last night, the snow was whirling, Across the skyline, haze was twirling, The moon, as though a pale dye, Emerged in yellow through faint clouds. And there you sat, immersed in doubts — And now… just look outside: The snow below the azure skies, As though a magic carpet lies, And in the light of day it shimmers. The woods are dusky. Through the frost The light-green fir-trees are exposed; And under ice, a river glitters. The room is lit with amber light. And bursting, popping with delight The oven rattles in a fray. While it is nice to hear its clatter, Perhaps, we should command to saddle A fervent mare into the sleight? And sliding on the morning snow Dear friend, we’ll let our worries go, And with the zealous mare we’ll flee. We’ll visit open valleys, thence, The forests, which were once so dense, And then the shore, so dear to me. Translated by Andrey Kneller