Old Poetry Poetry Poets Essays Forums

Petropolis

From a fearful height, a wandering light,
but does a star glitter like this, crying?
Transparent star, wandering light
your brother, Petropolis, is dying.

From a fearful height, earthly dreams are alight,
and a green star is crying.
Oh star, if you are the brother of water and light,
your brother, Petropolis, is dying.

A monstrous ship, from a fearful height,
is rushing on, spreading its wings, flying.
Green star, in beautiful poverty,
your brother, Petropolis, is dying.

Transparent spring has broken, above the black Neva’s hiss
the wax of immortality is liquefying.
Oh if you are star – your city, Petropolis,
your brother, Petropolis, is dying.

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Comments

  • Gregor Samsa
    January 20, 2006
    Edit | Reply
    Great to see some Mandlestam appearing here. I've read quite a lot of him, but this was new to me. Seems like a very good translation.

  • Sourceamabob
    January 19, 2006
    Edit | Reply
    Wow, I like this poem a lot for some reason. Really helps me visualise this scene in my head.