Pages

Monday, October 26, 2009

Anna Akhmatova

Unfortunately, we didn't have time to visit the Akhmatova Museum, but her portrait at the Russian Museum is haunting.


Can you relate?
    There's a secret border in human closeness,
    that love's being, love's passion, cannot pass --
    though lips are sealed together in sacred silence,
    though hearts break in two with love's distress.

    And friendship too is powerless,
    and years of sublime flame-filled ecstasy
    when the soul itself is free, fights clear,
    of the slow languor of sensuality.

    Those who try to reach that boundary are mad,
    and those who have -- are filled with anguish.
    Now you know, now you understand,
    why my heart won't beat at your caress.


No comments:

Featured Post

Not Forgiving, Part 2

Since my adopted daughter's reactive attachment disorder was rekindled in late 2002, provoked and reinforced by an extended campaign of...