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Wednesday, 16 October 2024

In winter - Maksim Bahdanovich

Hail, frosty evening, ringing, calling,
Hail, crunching crisp, soft spread of snow,
No snowstorm blows, the wind has fallen,
And freely the light sledges go.

Like phantoms, birches whitely hover,
Under night-time's azure quilt,
In the heavens, the stars shiver,
Frozen utterly, frost-chilled.

The moist moon from on high is shedding
A shaft, transparent and aglow,
And with silver cloaks is spreading
The blueing acres of the snow.

With sledges cleave the snow, good horses!
Gay copper bells, ring out with zest!
Forests and fields fly in swift courses, —
Till blood is boiling in the breast!

Maksim Adamavich Bahdanovich (1891 – 1917) Belarus
Translated by Vera Rich
Source: Maksim Bahdanovic in Byelorussian Literature, by Vera Rich, Journal of Belarusian Studies,  1(1), p.38, 1965

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