Bella Akhmadullina

Raphael's Day

Newcomer Day, don't stop on the rosy hill!
Don't let the down treat your features rudely.
Why deign come down to the gullies and to me?
I recognize you. You're straight from Urbino.
Divinity Day, go back to your Italy,
It's winter here. People are screwing around.
A hunchback filled with envy, I look at you
and my hidden rage kisses the hem of your gown.

On top of pock-marked cheeks and chest rotting in,
my brush is silly and the colors won't behave.
Perfection Day, get out! Away from sin!
Here shepherdesses' vests conceal sharp knives.

But the God-like Day kept watching tenderly,
and brother said to brother, "Good brother, hello!"
For the time in years, the Saint's Day festival
Of three neighboring villages didn't end in blows.

Unknown, it left - Raphael's Day, Day of Light -
but a dead oak in the open valley blossomed;
above us blessed sun turned rose; all night
pilgrims made the sign of the cross among the ruins.