Константин Воскресенский
My Favourite Poems in English

Foreword

Compiled by the author from the forewords of his previous works.

From the first collection of poems «In Your Name» (Russian: Во имя твоё)

As Joseph Brodsky said: «Poetry is not the best words in the best order. It is the highest form of the existence of language…»

And at this moment, real, deep verse lines are born! It is when you are worried about something, when your soul is torn apart… and so I opened the book of Konstantin Voskresenskiy… It's like drinking spring water!

From the book «The Adventures of Kesha the Russian Boy» (Russian: Приключения мальчика Кеши)

Here there is curiosity, inquisitiveness, a thirst for knowledge, and attacks of negativity, the first feelings and the first disappointments.

From the book «Debate on Literary Analysis of Poems» (Russian: Диспут по литературоведческому анализу стихотворений)

Konstantin Voskresenskiy has the gift of igniting a fervent interest in the topic in which he is engaged, to make both himself and those involved in the process burn brightly. At the time of our nice acquaintance, it was only about editing a few of his works, which were included in the second book that was not be ready yet. But whether «COVID messed everything up», or something else, «The Tale of the Coronavirus» appeared, then a book of prose, then almost simultaneously two books of poems, and later two books of literary analysis one after the other. This is all thanks to Konstantin Dmitrievich's energy and enthusiasm.

From the book «Favourite Poems» (Russian: Избранные стихотворения)

This reading is food for the heart and mind, not just a means to achieve ambitious goals.

From the third collection of poems «The Dreamer» (Russian: Мечтатель)

Konstantin Voskresenskiy is a man, first of all, distinguished by courage and character. But in order to succeed as a writer it is necessary (as is well known) to preserve in the soul the childish feeling of an explorer and discoverer. This dialectical point is not always recognised by everyone, including, as often happens, by the author himself. But in the lines of his literary works, and sometimes between the lines, this feeling is easily calculated and deducted as good humour or a diligent, emphatically restrained ironic attitude to reality.

From the second collection of poems «In Jest or Seriously» (Russian: В шутку ли всерьёз)

The variety of topics and the way he approaches them is very characteristic of Konstantin's current mood. This can be said with confidence because the author is young; most of his life has taken place in the third millennium. He is open to the novelty of the era and is not heavily burdened with the established literary opinions and preferences. This poet is closer to individual and cultural freedom, which is imposed on us by the painful split of the renewing society.

From the book «Favourite Poems» (Russian: Избранные стихотворения)

The experience of working with Konstantin Voskresenskiy's poems can open up one's idle eye and ear to the wealth hidden beneath, which is full of the process of making modern poetry.

From the first special book «Literary Analysis of Poems» (Russian: Литературоведческий анализ стихотворений)

Mind needs mysteries uncovered,
It researches truth and lies.
Am I full of worth and power?
What's the World and who am I?

What is real and how's it real?
What's the aim to know this all?
Should we solve this complex riddle,
Just like children try to solve?

(poem «Mind needs mysteries uncovered…»)

With a healthy amount of optimism, this poem tells us that the world's accessibility and knowledge increase with us as we develop and grow up. This is done in the form of a rhetorical question that each of us can ask ourselves. In this way, in this brilliant octave, Voskresenskiy expresses the beauty of modern knowledge.

From the second special book «Literary Analysis of Poems II» (Russian: Литературоведческий анализ стихотворений-2)

Continuing the study of Voskresenskiy's poems, it is easy to come across moments of discoveries and failures that excite many writers, which negate or distort the artistic truth of word.

From the book «The Adventures of Kesha the Russian Boy» (Russian: Приключения мальчика Кеши)

It remains to be hoped that the future fate of Konstantin Voskresenskiy as a writer will develop in such a way that this, in my opinion, successful experience, will only be emphasized by subsequent successes on his literary path.

Signature

Sergey Smetanin, Member of the Russian Writers' Union (Russian: Сергей Сметанин, Член Союза писателей России)

(individual quotes from books: «In Jest or Seriously», «The Dreamer», «Favourite Poems», «The Adventures of Kesha the Russian Boy», «Literary Analysis of Poems», «Literary Analysis of Poems II», «Debate on Literary Analysis of Poems»).

Vadim Bakulin, Member of the Russian Union of Writers (Russian: Вадим Бакулин, Член Российского союза писателей)

(individual quote from the book «In Your Name»)

1. A national poet

This interpreted poem is for my first book in English «The Adventures of Kesha the Russian Boy». It's a story about my childhood and coming of age, written from autobiographical material. Episode «2020. COVID-19.»

In English (interpretation by author):

Many are certain: «I'm writing like god!
Of wonderful heavenly moments I'm hunter!»
How to explain: he is only a wad?
It's of a preciousness impudent plunder!

Let we be judged by the soulless times.
Live our thoughts and a breath our sonnet!
Look for a worth among letters and lines:
Who is just garbage, who's a national poet…

In Russian:

Многие мыслят, что бог он и гений,
Ловкий охотник чудесных мгновений.
Как намекнуть, что он сильно не прав,
Снять с пьедестала зарвавшийся нрав…

Пусть нас рассудит бездушное время,
Вече народов, славянское племя.
Чуть различим среди строк силуэт:
Кто графоман, а кто Русский поэт…

2. «I want to say…»

From the first collection of poems «In Your Name» (Russian: Во имя твоё).

In English (interpretation by Lord Muck):

I want to say,
without making sounds:
day's time apart is
like a heavy round.

I want to see with
no words belong:
you wait for me;
your love is strong.

In Russian:

Хочу сказать,
не проронив ни звука,
как мне дневная
тяжела разлука.

Хочу увидеть
без лишних слов:
что ты ждала;
что сильна любовь.

3. «A quiet whisper in the dark…»

From the third collection of poems «The Dreamer» (Russian: Мечтатель).

In English (interpretation by Lord Muck):

A quiet whisper in the dark,
The dark is filled with creaks of bed.
The bed can't sleep while naked sparks
Spark one another 'cause they met.

They met because the lust can't sleep,
Can't sleep when praying for great love.
And love can make a sudden leap,
A leap of life that's full of laughs.

A laugh is easy like a thought.
A thought of life that puts a mark,
A mark of life whirl that it brought,
When brought its whisper in the dark…

In Russian:

Тихий шёпот. Темнота.
В темноте скрипит кровать.
На кровати нагота
Наготе мешает спать.

Спать нельзя среди страстей.
Страсть как хочется любить.
И любить ещё сильней,
Чтоб сильней хотелось жить.

Жить легко, осмыслив вихрь.
Вихрь житейский – неспроста.
Неспроста тот шорох тихий,
Тихий шёпот. Темнота…

4. «In the office there in heaven…»

From the third collection of poems «The Dreamer» (Russian: Мечтатель).

In English (interpretation by Lord Muck and Leah Foden):

In the office there in heaven
Changes being made all day
And the birds from all the hamlets
Nearby have flown away.

Ears are turning deaf and aching
Due to skinny shutters slam.
Evil arrows flew in, making
One's nose hiding out from them.

Like a black she-cat that's crawling,
Here the old bag came along
To spill mirrors. Tears were falling,
Her warm tears were falling strong.

Followed by the old and wobbling
Man, so slanted dense and gray.
The old bag began his scolding.
After that they went away.

From above the stove was heated
Scalding red-hot, burned the scum.
After winter was defeated,
The awaited spring had come.

Lilacs kept its constant promise,
Bloomed rich toned, as bright as day.
So, that hustle in the office,
one might say, was not in vain…

In Russian:

В канцелярии небесной
Мебель двигают весь день.
Разлетелись птицы спешно
Из окрестных деревень.

Ставни хлопают худые —
Уши глохнут и болят.
Прилетели стрелы злые —
Цапнуть за нос норовят.

Чёрной кошкой подползая,
Тётка мрачная пришла,
Слёзы тёплые роняя,
Разливает зеркала.

Дядька шёл за ней, шатаясь:
Серый, плотный и косой.
Тётка мрачная, ругаясь,
Забрала его с собой.

Сверху печку растопили —
Накалилась до красна.
Наконец-то наступила
Долгожданная весна.

Засверкала в пышном цвете,
Зацвела в саду сирень…
Нет, не зря там, в кабинете,
Мебель двигали весь день…

5. I'm not a fake

From the third collection of poems «The Dreamer» (Russian: Мечтатель).

In English (interpretation by Lord Muck):

Just let me get then who you are.
A dream? Annette? Good news not far?

A game? A poll? Some kind of secret?
A sugar roll? A spring that's sacred?

As if right here, the queen hides deeply,
on each move near she answers briefly.

The king seemed wiped and even melted,
but lives next pride when resurrected.

My soul's as light as snowflake:
I'm chaste, I'm white, I'm not a fake…

In Russian:

Узнать позволь мне, кто ты есть.
Мечта? Ассоль? Благая весть?

Секрет большой? Игра? Загадка?
Родник святой? Рогалик сладкий?

Как будто здесь, но словно в прятки
Играет ферзь ответом кратким.

Растаял весь, стоптался в ноль,
Но вновь воскрес и жив король.

Как белый лист, кристалл, наливка —
Душою чист. Я не фальшивка…

6. «All the world's variety in one…»

From the first collection of poems «In Your Name» (Russian: Во имя твоё).

In English (interpretation by Lord Muck and Leah Foden):

All the world's variety in one
Night raven, seagull of the sun.
Its snowy charm the winter brings.
It pleases with the sunny spring.
It warms the soul by hottest summer.
In autumn tears of rainfalls run.
We entered it – and we'll be gone.
All the world's variety in one

In Russian:

Един в многообразии своём.
Как ворон – ночью, чайка – днём.
Прекрасен снежною зимой.
Приветлив солнечной весной.
Он греет душу жарким летом.
Он слёзы льёт осенним днём.
Мы в нём явились – в нём умрём:
Един в многообразии своём.

7. «Mind needs mysteries uncovered…»

From the first collection of poems «In Your Name» (Russian: Во имя твоё).

In English (interpretation by Lord Muck and Leah Foden):

Mind needs mysteries uncovered,
It researches truth and lies.
Am I full of worth and power?
What's the World and who am I?

What is real and how's it real?
What's the aim to know this all?
Should we solve this complex riddle,
Just like children try to solve?

In Russian:

Жаждет ум познанья мира,
Ищет смысл бытия.
Есть ли толк во мне и сила?
Что есть Мир и что есть Я?

Что есть сущее на свете
И зачем хочу всё знать?
И дано ли нам, как детям,
Ребус сложный разгадать?

8. «My little girl, when your adulthood will start…»

This is interpretation poem for my first book In English «The Adventures of Kesha the Russian Boy». It's my story about my childhood and coming of age, written from autobiographical material. Episode «2011. Сhildbirth».

In English (interpretation by author):

My little girl, when your adulthood will start
This tiny verse will touch your gentle hand.
I hope your heavy temper's now dead,
You happy are and kept your open heart.

It doesn't matter if you're very smart
Even if starfish you've found in the sea.
Save soul's warmth – it is life's golden key:
Once down cooled, from whole you'll be apart.

No matter who your path will block or cross —
Don't be too strict with different companions:
Love other people, be calm, be kind, take care.

Let people give you the greatest real task.
All's yours indeed – no matter what you ask.
Be happy baby. God bless you everywhere.

In Russian:

Дитя моё, когда ты повзрослеешь
Твоей руки коснётся этот стих.
Надеюсь, дерзкий нрав твой приутих
И в жизни ни о чём ты не жалеешь.

Не важно чем особенным владеешь,
Достанешь ли со дна ты звёзд морских —
Храни тепло души – финальный штрих:
Остыв однажды – больше не согреешь.

Какой бы ни пришлось пройти дорогой —
К попутчикам своим не будь столь строгой:
Люби чужие жизни и цени.

Пусть люди наполняют тебя силой.
Всё будет у тебя, чтоб ни просила.
Будь счастлива. Господь тебя храни.

9. Transformation

From the second collection of poems «In Jest or Seriously» (Russian: В шутку ли всерьёз).

In English (interpretation by Lord Muck and Leah Foden):

I came inside the altar shrine,
I forced the walls around to tremble.
I prayed while reading the divine,
When I unsealed the doors of temple.

The scarlet petal took the most
From blessing moisture of the heavens;
The reddish shawl had to be lost,
It won't be hardly found ever…

State of a chrysalis that lies
Was changed so much, from the beginning.
When you became a butterfly,
I gladly took your altered meaning.

You've put on new and fancy dress,
The world has been by you discovered;
Your sparkling eyes kept the impress:
I've noticed – you've grown up empowered…

In Russian:

Легонько стены содрогнув,
Печать снимая с двери храма,
В алтарь священный прошагнув,
Молился, таинство читая.

Раскрылся алый лепесток
В небесной влаге благодатной;
Утерян красный твой платок —
Неотвратимо, безвозвратно…

Тебя так сильно изменив,
Лежала куколкой сначала,
Охотно принял новый вид —
Теперь ты бабочкой порхала.

И для себя вновь мир открыв
Ты платье модное надела.
В глазах увидев блеск, порыв —
Я осознал: ты повзрослела…

10. «Once again, I see: the spring…»

From the second collection of poems «In Jest or Seriously» (Russian: В шутку ли всерьёз).

In English (interpretation by Lord Muck and Leah Foden):

Once again, I see: the spring
Greets me with a haze of green.
Once again, the chirp is heard
From a new home built by birds.

Here again is air fresh breeze,
Here again are humming bees.
Pull a hundred robes off fast —
Winter's ending now at last…

Once again, the sun is bright,
Fills the soul with sheer delight:
Open up the doors again,
Let love blossom maids and men!

In Russian:

Вновь приветствует меня
Дымкой зелени весна.
Вновь, щебеча за окном,
Птицы строят новый дом.

Воздух свежий вновь подул,
Пчёлок снова слышу гул.
Сто одёжек быстро скину —
Пережили вновь мы зиму…

Снова солнце светит ярко —
Снова душу греет жарко:
Вновь открыты двери в новь,
Вновь «Она» плюс «Он» – Любовь!..

11. «My sweety wee, my fluffy kindly soul…»

This is interpretation poem for my first book In English «The Adventures of Kesha the Russian Boy». It's my story about my childhood and coming of age, written from autobiographical material. Episode «2018. Putting down our cat».

In English (interpretation by author):

My sweety wee, my fluffy kindly soul…
My body was volcanic island Java —
Hot tears ran down like excessive lava,
Somebody squeezed and mind my quickly stole…

The time for parting came. In heart was hole.
The thoughts my flashed like crowded yellow bus
This shortest distance impressed the both of us.
I death so close had never seen in whole.

I gently kissed you, caressed you gently me.
With purring your you let me clearly see —
Friends word «goodbye» before employing never…

Last one embrace, each other look one last,
The moment last… My comrade's in the past…
You fell asleep in arms… You went away forever…

In Russian:

Мой милый зверь, мохнатая душа —
Тринадцать лет нам было очень мало.
Слеза горячей лавою стекала,
Сжималось сердце и вверх рвалась душа

В тяжелую минуту для меня,
Когда пришла пора для расставанья
На кратком максимально расстоянии —
Так смерь не видел близко никогда.

Как целовал, как ты меня ласкала:
Мурлыканьем своим ты отпускала —
Прощались не охотливо друзья…

Последний взгляд, последнее объятье,
Последний миг… товарища утратил —
В моих руках уснула навсегда…

12. Prayer

From the second collection of poems «In Jest or Seriously» (Russian: В шутку ли всерьёз).

In English (interpretation by author and Leah Foden):

So very tired… I'm ill and seem so hopeless…
I feel in fear – It's glum like forest dark.
A hundred shots of fate have made me poor and homeless:
My clothes torn to shreds; exhausted soul's stark…

My Saviour saint: please, shield me from the vices,
The sinful thoughts that visit with the moon.
I'll reach your kingdom, as my mind advises.
Invite, my Teacher, I'll be there very soon.

Do wash me with the holy water cleansing.
Do bless my path ahead and heal the deeply pain,
Do give me luck and love and happy breathing.
Let me reborn be, please, and see the world again…

In Russian:

Я так устал… Так безнадёжно болен…
Иду на ощупь, словно в полутьме;
Стократ судьбой прострелен и просолен;
Одежда в клочьях, дыры на душе…

От глупых огради меня Спаситель,
Пороков, грязных мыслей под луной.
В обитель пригласи свою Учитель,
Водой святой очисти и умой.

Благослови на дальнюю дорогу,
На счастье, на удачу, на любовь,
На мир и возвращение к истоку —