Send-Off
By Tatiana Pahlen

From the morbid, immense tower
loudly clicked both hands of the clock,
When choking fumes of cheap tobacco
fused with sweat and sweet perfumes.

All bustling motions at the terminal
plaintively drooped and froze for an instant.
In the drop — restrained, but crystal
In agony concealed the cry!

Amidst the haze our arms apart
more ardent than our last terse chatter,
Before the clattering, run astray train
Lurched through the platform to nowhere.

Written in Russian January 5, 1986.
Translated into English November 18, 1996.

Copyright © 2000 Tatianyc. All Rights Reserved.