This way I prayed: "Slake the dumb thirst
Of singing with a sweet libation!"
But to the earthling of the earth
There can be no liberation.

Like smoke from sacrifice, that it could not
Fly Strength- and Glory-ward - alas -
But only clouded at the feet
And, as if praying, kissed the grass.

Thus I, O Lord, before thee bow:
Will reach the fire of the sky
My lashes that are closed for now
And muteness utter and divine?

By Anna Akhmatova
Translated from Russian by Ilya Shambat

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)