Poet of the Month 102: ALEXANDER BLOK

 

 

ALEXANDER BLOK

1880 – 1921

 

 

 

 

 

IN THE RESTAURANT

 

 

I shall never forget it (there was or was not

Such an evening): the sunset's declining

And dwindling fires had consumed and divided

      the sky;

In the yellow light, street lamps were shining.

 

I was there, in a window seat.  The place

      was crowded,

And the fiddles sang amorously,

And I sent you a single black rose in a glass

Of champagne as gold as the sky.

 

You glanced over my way.  Embarrassed, but boldly,

I met your cold stare, and I bowed.

And you said to your escort, 'That man's in love,

      too,'

In a tone that was cuttingly loud.

 

Straightaway, as in answer, the strings began

      playing,

All the fiddles struck up in the band…

But a young girl's contempt was the answer you

      gave me,

A scarce visible move of the hand.

 

Of a sudden you left, like a startled bird,

You passed me, as light as my dream…

Just a trace of perfume, and your eyelashes

      fluttered,

And your silks whispered soft in alarm.

 

But you still watch from the depths of

      the mirrors,

And, while watching, you called 'Catch your

      prize!'

And her necklace jingled as the gypsy girl,

      dancing,

Wailed of love to the sunset skies.

 

 

 

19 April 1910

 

 

Translated by 

ALEX MILLER

 

 

 

 

 

 

Use the link below to read about the life and work of 

Russian poet ALEXANDER BLOK:

 

 

 

https://www.rbth.com/arts/332863-alexander-blok-russian-poet

 

 

 

 

 

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