Arseny Tarkovsky (1907-1989) is one of the leading Russian poets to emerge from the Soviet era, though during most of his life- time he was known for translations of Asian poetries. His son Andrei Tarkovsky’s films gave his verse a second life.
The Original Title
Жизнь, жизнь (фрагмент)
The Literal Title
Life, life (a fragment of the poem)
A More "poetic" title
Information about the poet and poem
Arseny Tarkovsky (1907-1989) is one of the leading Russian poets to emerge from the Soviet era, though during most of his life- time he was known for translations of Asian poetries. His son Andrei Tarkovsky's films gave his verse a second life.
The Original Poem
Предчу́вствиям не ве́рю, и приме́т
Я не бою́сь. Ни клеветы́, ни я́да
Я не бегу́. На све́те сме́рти нет:
Бессме́ртны все. Бессме́ртно всё. Не на́до
Боя́ться сме́рти ни в семна́дцать лет,
Ни в се́мьдесят. Есть то́лько явь и свет,
Ни тьмы́, ни сме́рти нет на э́том све́те.
Мы все уже́ на берегу́ морско́м,
И я из тех, кто выбира́ет се́ти,
Когда́ идёт бессме́ртье косяко́м.
Я не бою́сь. Ни клеветы́, ни я́да
Я не бегу́. На све́те сме́рти нет:
Бессме́ртны все. Бессме́ртно всё. Не на́до
Боя́ться сме́рти ни в семна́дцать лет,
Ни в се́мьдесят. Есть то́лько явь и свет,
Ни тьмы́, ни сме́рти нет на э́том све́те.
Мы все уже́ на берегу́ морско́м,
И я из тех, кто выбира́ет се́ти,
Когда́ идёт бессме́ртье косяко́м.
A Literal Translation
I don't trust presentiments, and omens
I don't fear. Neither slander nor poison
do I flee. Death does not exist,
Everyone is immortal, everything is immortal. You shouldn't
Fear death at seventeen
Or seventy. There is only reality and light,
There is no darkness or death in this world,
We are all already on the sea shore,
And I am one of those who hauls the net in
When immortality is coming in a shoal.
I don't fear. Neither slander nor poison
do I flee. Death does not exist,
Everyone is immortal, everything is immortal. You shouldn't
Fear death at seventeen
Or seventy. There is only reality and light,
There is no darkness or death in this world,
We are all already on the sea shore,
And I am one of those who hauls the net in
When immortality is coming in a shoal.
A More "Poetic" Translation
An Audio Link
Listen to this poem here. https://youtu.be/hpxMZde62vE
A Video Link
Video for this poem here.
A Picture to Display
A Link to Associated Kindle Book with Text
Game Script