Velimir Khlebnikov (1885-1922)

The Proverbs and Tongue-Twisters of Spring

The proverbs and tongue-twisters of spring
crept through the winters' books.
Through deep blue eyes, the keen-eyed one
saw the notes made by the shameworking earth.

Along the arc of the gilded ball
down into the poplar's fishing nets
in these early days the golden coltsfoot
creeps like a golden tortoise.

Spring, 1919

From Ten Russian Poets, translated Richard McKane, Anvil/Survivors' Poetry, 2003

ISBN 0-85646-328-0

Available through Survivors' Shop