Thursday, October 16, 2008

Fet's "O Miraculous Painting" [1842]

A poem by Afanasy Fet, 19th century Russian conservative and "poet's poet." From his first volume of published poems.


O miraculous painting,
How familiar and dear you are to me:
With your white plains,
And full moon,

Light streams down from the high heavens,
And the snow sparkles,
And there's a lonely trail
Leading from the distant sleighs.


Чудная картина,
Как ты мне родна:
Белая равнина,
Полная луна,

Свет небес высоких,
И блестящий снег,
И саней далеких
Одинокий бег.

trans. Joshua Walker 2008

comments and concerns welcome!