Let us ponder each name,
with sorrow ponder our own …
This is not needed by them.
This is our need — alone.
Surely you bore not babes for dying thus.
Motherland?
Surely not death you desired for us.
Motherland?
Flames slashed across the dark sky!—
You remember.
Motherland?
Quiet you murmured:
“Arise and defend us…”
Motherland.
Glory not one of us cried of you,
Motherland.
Simply for each to decide:
I or the
Motherland.
Ah, then why, red sun, rise ghstening,
why not say farewell — why burn again?
Ah, then why, from war’s deep misery,
son, do you not return again?
In distress I’d give my eyes for you,
hke an eagle swiftly fly to you …
Call to me then, flesh and blood of mine!
Little one of mine. Only son of mine . .
One night we shall trouble you deep in your sleep.
In flight over meadows our voices
from silence will leap.
We’ve forgotten the fragrance of flowers,
and the poplar’s breath.
We’ve forgotten old earth.
What’s life worth now on earth?
And the birds?
Do they sing still on earth
without us?
Do the cherries still swing there on earth
without us?
Do the rivers still gleam?
And the cloud-banks stream overhead?
Without us.
Ponder them!
Through every age, through each year—
ponder them!
The ones who no longer will come—
nevermore—
ponder them!
No wailing! In your throats curb groans
to a murmur,
groaning a murmur.
The fallen recalling be ever worthy!
Always be worthy!
People!
Wherever heart-beats are pounding —
ponder them!
At what a high price
your joyful fortune they founded —
you’re bound to ponder them!
Singing your song which you speed on the
wing—
ponder them!
O'er those who now nevermore will
sing -
ponder them!
Tell all your children of them,
that they should remember!
Tell all your children’s children of them,
that they should also remember!
R. Rozhdestvensky “Requiem”
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