Category Archives: Poetry

The original Ukrainian version of this poem was read at Yaroslava’s wake. It’s a bit nationalistic, but it translates beautifully. Testament (Ukrainian: Zapovit) When I am dead, bury me In my beloved Ukraine, My tomb upon a grave mound high Amid the spreading plain, So that the fields, the boundless steppes, The Dnieper’s plunging shoreContinue reading “Monday Night Poetry Club”

Because last night I was preoccupied with the poetry of Joss Whedon. When man enters woman, like the surf biting the shore, again and again, and the woman opens her mouth in pleasure and her teeth gleam like the alphabet, Logos appears milking a star, and the man inside of woman ties a knot soContinue reading “Tuesday Morning Poetry Club”

It’s a bit early, but I will be busy later in the day. On September the 11th, I have for you my own translation of the virst two stanzas Boris Pasternak’s “I dreamed of autumn…” I believe they’re relevant for today. The Russian original can be found here. An old professor once told me “it’sContinue reading “Monday Afternoon Poetry Club”

The Guttural Muse Late summer, and at midnight I smelt the heat of the day: At my window over the hotel car park I breathed the muddied night airs off the lake And watched a young crowd leave the discotheque.   Their voices rose up thick and comforting As oily bubbles the feeding tench sentContinue reading “Monday Night Poetry Club”

WHEN YOU ARE OLD   When you are old and grey and full of sleep, And nodding by the fire, take down this book, And slowly read, and dream of the soft look Your eyes had once, and of their shadows deep; How many loved your moments of glad grace, And loved your beauty withContinue reading “Monday Night Poetry Club”