Why do the clock-hopperssing,
And fever rustle
And dry stove crackle —
It is red silk burning.
Why do the mice grind with their teeth
The slender ground of life —
A swallow has loosened
My shuttle for her daughter.
Why does rain murmur on the roof —
It is black silk burning,
But the cherry blossom will hear,
And on the bottom of the sea, forgive.
Because of the death of the innocent
And with no way to help,
In a nightingale’s fever,
There is still a warm heart.
(Osip Emilevich Mandelstam)
More Poetry from Osip Emilevich Mandelstam:
Osip Emilevich Mandelstam Poems based on Topics: Death & Dying, Life, Daughters, Forgiveness- The Menagerie (Osip Emilevich Mandelstam Poems)
- Straw (Osip Emilevich Mandelstam Poems)
- "The thick golden stream of honey took so long" (Osip Emilevich Mandelstam Poems)
- If I am to know how to restrain your hands (Osip Emilevich Mandelstam Poems)
- "If I am to know how to restrain your hands" (Osip Emilevich Mandelstam Poems)
- "In Petersburg we'll meet again" (Osip Emilevich Mandelstam Poems)