I’m not grieving, I’m not angry, and only darkness accompanies me. How deep it is and velvety, above all, always familiar to me… - Anna Akhmatova

I know beginnings, I know endings too,
and life-in-death, and something else
I'd rather not recall just now.

N.V.N.
(translated by Jane Kenyon)

There is a sacred, secret line in loving
which attraction and even passion cannot cross, — even if lips draw near in awful silence
and love tears at the heart.

Friendship is weak and useless here,
and years of happiness, exalted and full of fire,
because the soul is free and does not know
the slow luxuries of sensual life.

Those who try to come near it are insane
and those who reach it are shaken by grief,
So now you know exactly why
my heart beats no faster under your hand.

Without love, I'm more at ease, I'm sure.
The sky is high, the mountain wind is sweeping,
And all my thoughts are innocent and pure.