To memory
of my dear mother Anastasia
Whenever in Spring I see
blossom aflame,
And somebody call me
by my own pet name,
I remember you, mother of mine.
Whenever at dawn the fresh
dew sparkling lies,
And someone, all smiles,
looks me straight in the eyes,
I remember you, mother of mine.
Whenever my soul feels
so lucid and light,
And the Sun stands above
the warm Earth at full height,
I remember you, mother of mine.
Whenever small boys
stroll a lane, a brave pair,
And a loving mother
just dotes on them there,
I remember you, mother of mine.
Whenever I wish the whole world
to embrace,
And my head upon someone's
warm bosom to place,
I remember you, mother of mine.
Whenever on life's thorny
difficult way
I wish to discover
a bright happy day,
I remember you, mother of mine...
January 21 1982.
Moscow.
Translated from Russian
by Walter May