Alchemist

All admirers just wasted their time
On the plain illusions – which was all in vain
He predicted bad insomnia in rhymes
He’d been earning for his living and his name.

And he knew the riddles of the universe  by heart
He was selling them in old and glassy rinds.
He foresaw one’s  soul agony  and torment’s pang
And her mascara laps running down  the cheeks

Inquisitors came from time to time with guards
They were getting the prescriptions for their ache
And the Pope was said to drop in with his warts,
They were talking with no witness, face-to face.

He was using Stone of Wisdom nothing loath
And he knew the recipe of elixir of life
He was mixing his intrigues with devil plots
Sheer love remained enigma secrets-rife

There’s old and shabby house near the stream
On the outskirts, and by the cleared strip
There’s all you ever ask for – any dream
But for happiness, which’s lost within rain  drip


Алхимик

Время тратили поклонницы,
Только зря – на миражи.
Он предсказывал бессонницы,
Зарабатывал на жизнь.

Знал секреты мироздания –
Продавал их в пузырьках.
Предвещал души страдания,
Струйки туши на щеках.

Инквизиторы со стражею
Приходили брать рецепт.
Даже Папа Римский хаживал –
Что-то терли тет-а-тет.

Философский камень пользовал,
И секрет бессмертия знал,
Смешивал интриги с кознями,
Лишь любовь не разгадал.

На окраине у просеки
Возле речки – старый дом.
В нём есть всё, что не попросите.
Только счастья нету в нём.
(Леонид Беленький)