Andrey Bely (Pseudonym of Boris Bugayev) (b. 1880)

(Opening poem of the “Funeral Mass” cycle)

“YOU sit on the bed there

In the sunset’s full crimson,

Pillows crumpled,

Looking distracted,—what

Troubles you?”

“Oh, swept by

Transparent

Gold cataracts,

The fir-tree tops

Loom athwart the sky’s blue.”

“Orphaned, alone, I shall

Languish,

Through summery

Twilights and Winter nights.

There are new flights, but

Try them I dare not.

Oh, do not die!”

“Oh, above the pines

I float off into æther seas.

Who, there, what, there,

Swathes the sky with whitenesses,

As with vestments of silver?”