1.

Beneath the silent
Destinies,
Beneath the worlds,
Along the centuries,
In the hearts of peoples,
And in the ethers
Of the heavens

- Let there ring out
The good news:
- “Christ
Is Arisen!”

This has happened.
This will happen.
This is happening.

15.

My country
Is a
Tomb,
Lifting
A pale
Cross

To the vaults
Of the dark
Heavens.

Land
Laid waste
And holy
Your sons and your daughters
Enter
Your shrine.

Earth,
Be green
And blush
With flowers.

Resurrection
- Has come.

And from all places on the cross
Huge roses are springing!

21.

And this corpse,
Wretched and yellow,
Whipped and scorned,
The bruised organs,
The pierced flesh,
The outstretched arms,
We bear all this at present –
                                         - in us.
In our darknesses
And in our funereal
Chambers of unbelief –

Not understanding
That this mystery
Is coming about through us –
                                                - and in us. –

22.

And the news resounds
Like a Hosannah.

There is a strange
Flame
In the chamber
Of unbelief.

23.

Russia,
My country,
You are that woman
Clothed with the sun,
Towards whom
All eyes
Are lifted.

I see you
Conquering the dragon.

And your inhabitants
Reach out their hands
Towards you
Through the smoke -

To your spaces
Filled with song
Filled with the fire
Of a Seraph
Descending towards you.

And something
In my throat
Locks
With emotion.

24.

I know -
A great and shining aura
Descends upon each of us.

The century of burning suffering
Will bless and illumine our heads.

And the Word which moves
To the centre of the heart
Proclaims
Through its trumpets
Of tempestuous spring
And through the sounding depths
Of a throat of flame:

“O my well-beloved
Sons and daughters
Christ is Arisen!’

 

April 1918,
Moscow.

 

Translation copyright © Richard Ramsbotham