Bulat Okudjava

Well, let us think out the autocrat,
the one who in all souls reigns
from age when a childe is not grown yet
and to the magnificent grays.

Let’s give him a moustache, magnificent,
put in him raptorial eyes,
his feet – in soft boots… and the diligent,
all vote for him – and at once.

Yes, let us think out the autocrat,
the one which will suit our whim.
Then nobody have to response for that,
if we all together make him.

And let him then treat us with insolence,
and shake with his fist from the dim,
until we’ll perceive with full clearness
that we are created by him. 


Translated by Yevgeny Bonver, August, 2002