Bulat Okudjava

Involved in earthly zeal and rages,  
I know that from dark to light,
Once, will come out the Black Angel
and cry: ‘Salvation is a lie!’  

But, simple-hearted and uncertain, 
And charming, as a message-bliss,   
White Angel, following the first one,
will whisper that a hope lives.


Translated by Yevgeny Bonver, May, 2001