< Modern Russian Poetry
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THE BIRCH TREE

Upon an amber day I loved you first,
⁠When, summoned by the radiant azure,
⁠From every grateful twig there burst
⁠Sweet indolence in dripping measure.

Your whitely shining body gleamed as white
⁠As heady foam on lakes unfolding,
⁠Gay laughing Lel[1] drew out the bright
⁠Black hair, its beauty lightly holding.

Himself, the god Yarila[2] crowned your hair
⁠With garlands green in gorgeous pleasure,
⁠And flung it, plaited, to the air:
⁠Green glory tossed upon the azure.

  1. ↑ The Russian Pan.
  2. ↑ The Russian Dionysos.
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    This work is in the public domain in the United States because it was published before January 1, 1927.

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    Translation:

    This work is in the public domain in the United States because it was published before January 1, 1927. It may be copyrighted outside the U.S. (see Help:Public domain).

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