To memory
of my dear father Georgi
There's Mars himself!
In helm a-shining,
And in his steed of bronze so stark,
Like a hungry hawk
through the heavens flying
In deep impenetrable dark.
Upon his shoulders wings are gleaming,
A red star burns upon his breast.
His hungry glittering looks so streaming,
A menacing sword in his mailed fist.
But on this day, in some strange maner,
And notwithstanding flames and smoke,
The whole land sees a peaceful banner
Flying above a peaceful folk.
The God of War our earthly planet
Protected from the evil gloom,
So that bright brances should spread upon it,
So that the bird-cherry tree should bloom.
May 9th 1945.
Moscow.
Translated from Russian
by Walter May