Bulat Okudjava

Consciousness, magnificence and dignity –
Our spiritual nobility.
Stretch your palm to it, ‘cause for the sake 
Such a thing, one can raise to the stake.

Its air is and wonderful and glorious.
Dedicate to it all your life’s span.
Maybe, you would ne’er become victorious,
But you’ll die as dies a real man.


Translated by Yevgeny Bonver, Augus, 2002