Charents: From the Leningrad Fragments

The spent northern sun sways

Like a fireless crucible of ashes

Over these square structures,

This endless stretch of the past…

Below, the dreary Neva yawns

Drifting on with sulky debility –

And the weary city of yore,

Frozen in the mist like a mirage –

Delirium of a genius drifted

Ages ago into lethargic slumber,

Who had lived with the glacial,

tired blood of the past century…

And in the age-old delusions

Of the drowsy, indolent patient,

Countless lanterns are winking

Like purulent eyes in darkness…

And misguided men, roaring cars

And blood streams of clanking

Streetcars – seem to roll out

A canvas by Hieronymus Bosch…

 

——————Yeghishe Charents

Leningrad-Yerevan, 1921-1937

Translated by Tatul Sonentz

Tatul Sonentz-Papazian

Tatul Sonentz-Papazian

Tatul Sonentz-Papazian is the former editor of the Armenian Review and director of the ARF and First Republic of Armenia Archives, based in Watertown, Mass. He has been a contributor to the Armenian Weekly for over 50 years. He currently directs the Publications Department of the Armenian Relief Society.
Tatul Sonentz-Papazian

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