A collection of poetry from Russia.
REQUIEM

(An excerpt from the poem)
To the memory of the men of the Soviet Army 
who fell in action during the Second World War.

Remember! 
Swift though the stream 
of days and years 
may flow - 
remember! 
To those who fell 
a debt of love 
we owe - 
remember! 
This debt lives on:
no tears
can e'er repay, 
nor sorrow;
We must
keep faith with them 
today, 
tomorrow. 
Our dreams, 
our songs, 
and all the joys 
that life 
was made for
At bitter cost,
in battle's direst strife
were paid for. 
Hear this my plea:
with all my strength 
I urge - 
remember! 
With every breath,
with every heartbeat's surge - 
remember! 
E'en when our song
the starry skies has filled -
remember! 
Hear yet the voice 
of those whose song is stilled -
remember! 
Tell to our children
how our peace was won -
remember! 
And may
their children 
pass the message on:
remember! 
Hail the new age 
that's knocking 
at our door, 
0, Men of Earth! 
Slay
the foul beast
of murd'rous war, 
0, Men of Worth! 
And as we sail
the conquered Space o'erhead -
remember! 
Pay homage still
to our unconquered dead - 
remember!

Robert Rozhdestvensky.

Translated by Archie Johnstone

ROBERT ROZHDESTVENSKY (b. 1932). From school he went to Petrozavodsk University, then transferred to the Literary Institute in Moscow, where he completed studies in 1956. His work was first published in 1949 and his first book of poetry. Spring Banners, appeared in Petrozavodsk in 1955. Author of many popular books of verse, he is also well-known as a writer of song lyrics.

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