Zinaida Gippius

I hate to submit to the people’s desire.
Who likes a yoke of a slave?
Trough whole our life we’re in permanent trial,
After – we lay in a grave.

I can’t submit to the Heavenly Low
If Lord are my love and my light.
He gave me the ways on the earth, I’ve to go,
How I can step aside?

I break all nets by which people are drawn –   
Dreams, deepest sadness and bliss.            
We are not slaves, we are children His own,
Children are free as He is.

I pray my God, who produced all the living, 
Using the name of His Son:
Father, let our unambiguous willing
Ever be righteous and one!


Translated by Yevgeny Bonver, November, 2000