The Birth of Poetry - Titsian Tabidze

1.

Sky and earth

make a bridge on Mt. Elbrus.

The mountain’s ringing recalls

the giant who fought Prometheus.

You created the poplar tree

from a lovely Circassian women.

The mountaineer’s cloak

does not tear easily.

2.

Burgundy sky, mountain of wine,

Mount Elbrus in the Caucasus Mountains, Russia
Wikipedia

the Black Sea soaks the earth.

Elbrus stands, an ancient guard.

The storm grows furious.

I have nothing to fear except the snow

that collects into an avalanche

and melts in my body beneath the sun.

3.

Sky and earth

make a bridge on Elbrus.

The mountain’s ringing recalls

the giant who fought Prometheus.

My heart is buried here.

We await the flood.

Our wings will stay the storm.

We share an abyss,

and wait for time to come.

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Titsian Tabidze (1895–1937) Georgia

Translated by Rebecca Gould

Source: Lunch Ticket Issue 9: Summer/Fall 2016