First Rain - Avrom Sutzkever

What shall I do with so much memory?

Where shall I hide it,

Infuse it in veins —

For my grandchild to find it?

Perhaps, deep in the earth,

In its core?

Rain, rain,

Don't slice your veins with the sun,

Lest the grapes in the vineyard

Flee in fear.

Perhaps instill it in a mirror?

Perhaps, save it with birds?

Birds, soaring letters,

Take it!

My memory is yours.

Maybe a good-hearted bird

Will sing it into a hut —

And a man will make a blessing

Over singing fire.

---

Avrom Sutzkever (1913 - 2010) Belarus (moved to Israel)

Translated by Barbara and Benjamin Harshav

Source: A. Sutzkever, Selected Poetry and Prose. Translated from the Yiddish by Barbara and Benjamin Harshav, University of California Press, 1991 [UC Press E-Books Collection, 1982-2004]