Winter Apples by Tatiana Gusarova, translated by Fledermaus

Tatiana Gusarova, Winter Apples,

Unrhymed edited translation, © Fledermaus, Poetry Monster, 2021

Sunny, fine
It’s been a long day.
The whole family on skis
Got out into the woods.

Suddenly a three-year-old Vovka ¹
Says to his mother:
“Look, oh miracle!  An apple is hanging
Over there on Christmas tree!”

And I looked to the left
And froze, speechless:
On the nearest fir tree
Clusters of ripe fruit!

But a gust of wind blew,
And suddenly from the branches
The apples have flown away:
A flock of bullfinches.

 

 

Татьяна Гусарова – Зимние яблоки

 

Солнечный, погожий
Выдался денёк.
Всей семьей на лыжах
Выбрались в лесок.

Вдруг трехлетний Вовка
Маме говорит:
«Чудеса! На ёлке
Яблоко висит!»

А взглянул левее
И застыл без слов:
На соседней ели
Россыпи плодов!

Но пронесся ветер,
И тотчас с ветвей
Упорхнули яблоки
Стайкой снегирей.

 

---

 

 

1. diminutive of Vladimir, like Billy from William[↩]