Said who my mortal body will

One day be cast in grave to chill?

They know not my boundless love

For endless skies that loom above.

Like bird that’s locked in wiry cage

For Liberty my quest I waged.

From home I wished to make a break

As late at night I laid, awake,

I dreamt to clean my memory’s slate

From father’s and stepmother’s hate.

Like fish that’s beached on hot, dry sand

Without love I choked on land,

Alas, analogy aside,

I won’t be swept by love’s high tide.

Believe you not that I’ll be gone

In dark, cold grave, beneath tombstone.

I found true dark of lonely nights

When to the love I gave last rites.

But says who I knew not of bliss?

Not true , I’m blessed by muse’s kiss,

Enabled by Creator’s will

In lovely verse to hone my skill.

No, I will not descend to grave

Forever dwell in cold, dark cave.

From burning soul a fire will start,

It will consume my tired heart.

The heart that’s reached the end of road

Will in a ball of fire explode.

My soul that’s always been ablaze

That wondered restlessly in daze

Will break the shackles and will soar

Bound by the mortal flesh no more.

To Heavens’ blue the soul will rise

To gaze at Earth in daily guise

Where from the infancy I learned

The gloom of hate in dark hearts churned.

At Earth where solitude’s dark place

Forever was my dwelling space.

At Earth, regardless of my fate,

I never ever learned to hate.

My soul will finally be free,

On Earth it had no freedom’s spree.

Eternal peace will fill its bowl,

To drink at Heavens’ dazzling ball.

No hole in Earth can keep me in,

The Cup of Liberty I’ll win!

By Liana Margiva

Translated from Russian by Anatol Kardiukov