Nikolay Gumilev
Giraffe
Today, I can see, that your eyes are excessively sad,
and your arms are excessively thin, embracing your knees...
Listen, dear: far-faraway on the lake called Chad
The dainty giraffe lives...
He has slender gracefulness, bliss and delight,
His skin's beautified by the enchanting trace,
Which can be compared only to lunar light
That sparkles on waves of magnificent lakes.
At distance he looks like the colourful sails of yacht,
His running is smooth, like flying of birds in the air.
I know, many wonders and miricles happen on earth
At sunset, when he disappears in his marble cave.
I know marry tales from countries, mysterious, strange,
About fine princess and love of the courageous prince.
But you have been living so long in this heavy mist,
You want to believe into nothing but this endless rain.
And how can I tell you about that tropical land,
With high slender palm trees and smell of the herbs and the leaves.
- You’re weeping? No, listen… so far on the lake called Chad
The dainty giraffe lives...