Listen! After all, if the stars are lit, does it mean- that somebody needs it? Does it mean-that someone wants them to be? Someone calls then these tiny spits gems? And, rushing like mad In blizzards of mid-day dust he bursts in on God, fears that he is too late, cries, kisses His sinewy hand, begs Him- there must be a star!- swears- he can't stand this starless torment! And then he wanders all anxious, Yet seemingly calm. Says to someone else, "Is it now easier? You’re better now, right, not frightened? You are?!” Listen! After all, if the stars are lit does it mean -that somebody needs it? Is it imperative, then, - To light up, upon the rooftops, Each evening At least one star?! (Vladimir Mayakovsky, 1914 )
*I divided it slightly differently from the original, into more stanzas(4 instead of just 2) after giving it some thought. Didn’t want to, initially, really didn’t-but helps with the intonation. I think.
**Immediately after translating, I had this tremendous insight of tremendous magnitude-it being a very well-known poem, by a very well-known poet, written more than a hundred years ago-it was probably already translated a thousand times before?!
The very first click on “Послушайте!” in translation to English gave me a link to at least 5 other translations, all vastly superior to mine.
I almost didn’t want to post mine.
***Then I thought-no, I should preserve it in annals. As bad as it is. And cry, and cry.
It, and the link to the original, and vastly superior translations of others.
the link to the original ( and vastly superior translations of others)
which I do hope you’ll enjoy, for I love the poem, and want it to be loved, thus.
*****to you 💫
Beautiful! Thank you for sharing! There is a whole other level to the poems you share on here.
The stars are always lit:
even during our days,
when we cannot see them,
they burn for others
to show them the way
through the dark of night