Nikolay Grebnev

I bless the life, I’ve lived until this time,
all that will not repeat itself again,
all that was bad and was my best and prime,
with what I’m proud and with what I’m shamed.

All-all was there: and painful fall and flight,
but, had unrolled the tight clews of my ways, 
I saw the things that nobody saw right,
and said the words that nobody still says.

Though I don’t see what waits me on my path,
I always give my blessing, in advance,
to all that’s bad and what is ever praised –
that will be once or will be never chanced.

And let, behind the turn of road, farther,
rays shine on stones of another’s way.
What I had missed, will have to see another,
And he will say what I could not to say.


Translated by Yevgeny Bonver, August, 2001