The evening sky is gold and vast. I’m soothed by April’s cool caress. You’re late. Too many years have passed, - I’m glad to see you, nonetheless. C… - Anna Akhmatova

Forgive me that I felt forsaken,
That grief and angst was all I knew.
Forgive me that I kept mistaking
Too many other men for you.

Sentirai il tuono e mi rammenterai,
penserai: desiderava la bufera...
Sarà una striscia di cielo accesa di rosso,
e il cuore come allora in fiamme.
E ciò accadrà nel giorno moscovita
in cui abbandonerò per sempre la città,
muoverò verso il bramato riparo,
lasciando in mezzo a voi ancora la mia ombra.

All the mirrors on the wall show a man not yet appeared who could not enter this white hall. He is no better and no worse, but he is free of Lethe's curse: his warm hand makes a human pledge. Strayed from the future, can it be that he will really come to me, turning left from the bridge?

If I can’t have love, if I can’t find peace, give me a bitter glory.