[AGAINST THE PALE-BLUE ENAMEL]

by Osip Mandelshtam
translated by Alistair Noon

 

 

Against the pale-blue enamel
that April makes conceivable,
the branches of the birch-trees stand
and gradually turn into evening.

Their pattern is sharp and complete,
the stiffened gauze is fine,
like a drawing that someone has neatly
traced out on a plate of china.

Some merciful artist has performed
that design on the glassy heavens,
knowing the transience of such force,
oblivious to the sorrow of death.

1909

 

 

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