FOG
Above the swamp milk is spun...
A black raven lost in thought.
A gray raven is musing.
It pecked out eyes. God knows whose.
And from the east wrath advances with swords!..
The black raven suddenly attacks.
The gray raven leaps up.
It pecked out eyes. God knows whose.
SUN
Somewhere the birds of paradise nibble
Green vines.
Lakes turned translucent!..
A shadow. Long ago.
The mowers mow before sunrise.
A flame of flowers!
A girl’s breast sleepily says:
Son... my sweet son...
WIND
A bird – a river – a stalk of green vetch –
The rhythms of a sunflower.
The day runs, ringing-laughing,
It overtakes them!
Above the rye – it comes –
With goblets full of mead.
The day runs, ringing-laughing,
It overtakes them!
RAIN
On the water in someone’s hand
Snakes writhe... A dream. To the bottom.
It blew, it puffed, it poured out grain –
And sparrows began to bound!..
“Run away!” something whispered to the shores.
“Lie down...” something shook the pines.
A tiny cloud dropped lace petticoats
Onto the meadows.
1918