I asked the stars fading from the sky
If he, who I was shining for amongst you
By any chance did call for me?
My simple question did, indeed, surprise them,
And “Never!” was the answer to my query.

I asked the Dawn who used to bring his letters,
When will I hear from my friend again?
Responded Dawn by laughter and a “Never!”
Another one he added to collection.

I asked the Thunder if, perhaps, it is
The messenger of my friend’s deepest feelings?
“Why, never!” Thunder cracked
And flashed a bolt of lightning.

I asked the Rain if it, perhaps,
Brought down the tears shed by one
Who used to love me?
But raindrops whispered “Never!”
And soaked me to the bone.

I asked the Flowers in a distant field
If He, perhaps, implored them
To be a bright memento of his love?
But “Never!” laughed the Flowers
And closed their buds.

I asked the Sun which shone through morning mist
“When will my friend come by and warm my soul?”
“Oh, never!” flared the Sun and hid in clouds.

I asked the Night, descending over Earth
If ever I can sleep and dream again?
The Night her starry dice did roll,
And yielded yet another “Never!”

I asked his Portrait hanging on my wall
If He did know this day
Would never be repeated,
Another day with you deep in my heart?
He flashed a wily smile and dropped a “Never!”

I asked the Heart which fluttered in my chest
If ever it will be content if He is not around?
“Oh, Never” pounded Heart
And graced me with the pain.


I thought, perhaps, my friend
Has lost his will to write
And asked the Wind to tell me that I am
Still on the Altar of his love?
But “Never!” howled the Wind and blew away.

I asked the Tree, a witness of the joy
We both used to share,
Was it, perhaps, aware
That love wasn’t meant to last?
“I Always knew it”, sighed the tree
And shrugged the morning dew
To wash away the misery.

I asked the Solitude, my eternal escort
If friend of mine, perhaps,
Implored it to replace it by his presence?
But “Never!” was the Solitude’s reply
Accompanied by timid smile.

I then inquired of All:
What must be done
To change my fate?
But silence reigned.

To Heavens was my final plea:
Why did he speak of love
If that was all a lie?

Liana Margiva

(Translated from Russian by Anatol V. Kardiukov)