You do not know just what you've been forgiven. - Anna Akhmatova

</p>I've woven them a garment that's prepared out of poor words, those that I overheard, </p> and will hold fast to every word and glance all of my days, even in new mischance, and if a gag should bind my tortured mouth, through which a hundred million people shout, then let them pray for me, as I do pray for them, this eve of my remembrance day.

سال های تلخ بیماری نصیبم کن،
خفقان ، بی خوابی ، تب ،
فرزندم را بگیر و یارم را ،
موهبت اسرارآمیز شعرسرایی را ،
اما ، باز ، از پس این همه روزهای فرساینده،
در مراسم نیایش،چنان به درگاهت دعا میکنم
تا ابر سیاه بالای روسیه
به ابر سفیدی در میان پرتوهای شکوهمند بدل شود.

For some the wind can fleshly blow, for some the sunlight fade at ease, but we, made partners in our dread, hear but the grating of the keys, and heavy-booted soldiers' tread. As if for early mass, we rose and each day walked the wilderness, trudging through silent street and square, to congregate, less live than dead.