Listen!

Listen!
If stars come out at night —
could it mean someone needs them?
Could it mean someone wants them?
Could it mean someone calls those drops of spit
                                                      pearls?

And, overstraining himself
in the dusty tempests of noon,
he rushes to God,
fears he’s too late,
cries,
kisses the sinewy hand,
asks —
that a star always be there,
pleads —
for he can’t endure
a starless torment.
Afterwards
he paces his room, alarmed,
yet outwardly calm.
Says out loud,
“Now you feel better, don’t you?
Not scared?
Are you?!”

Listen!
If stars come out at night —
could it mean someone needs them?
Could it mean — that at least
one star must shine
above the roofs
every evening?

(1914)

— translated from the Russian by Alexandra Kostina