Marina Tsvetaeva

How many people fell in this abyss
I fathom from afar!
There will be time, and I will vanish too
From earth's exterior

All will be still, that sang and that did struggle
That glistened and rejoiced:
The greenness of my eyes, the gold of my hair
And this my tender voice

Life will continue with its soft hot bread
With day's oblivion
All will continue — under outstretched heavens
As if I'd never been!

Like children changeable in every mien
And angry not for long
Who loved the times when in the fireplace
Into ash turned the log

Violin and cavalcade within the forest
And in the village, bell...
Upon this dear earth — I will be no longer
That was alive and real!
To all — who are the friends and strangers
To never having known the measure, me?
I turn to you with this my faith's demand
And love's query

Both day and night, in word and letter both:
For truth of yes and no
For that though I am but twenty I am
So often in such sorrow

For unavoidably my slights and trespasses
Will be forgiven me —
For all of my impetuous tenderness
And look too proud and free —

For quickness of events as they come rushing
For truth, for play, say I —
Please hear me! But do also please love me
For this that I will die