Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

Deutsch and Yarmolinsky, comps. Modern Russian Poetry. 1921.

The Birch Tree

Sergey Gorodetzky (1884–1921)

UPON an amber day I loved you first,

When, summoned by the radiant azure,

From every grateful twig there burst

Sweet indolence in dripping measure.

Your whitely shining body gleamed as white

As heady foam on lakes unfolding,

Gay laughing Lel drew out the bright

Black hair, its beauty lightly holding.

Himself, the god Yarila crowned your hair

With garlands green in gorgeous pleasure,

And flung it, plaited, to the air:

Green glory tossed upon the azure.