Birkus — Records & Real Life

Existing or to be . Written by Yuri Voronov. Translated by Viktor Birkus. Among at all that intertwined in our life, Quite often selfishness leads us. Existing or to be, that is the question. Look like someone or somebody to be? Be brave, or just pretend to brave? You sacrificed, loved, created, taught, Or only talk about it in public, Afraid confess you in the truth? What striving you: pretending or to be? How much cost life in luxury and rest, When try to sculpt her into falseness dress? Pretend is easy, difficult to be.

Without Me , 1916, Ivan Alekseyevich Bunin. Translated by Viktor Birkus. I think one day, I’ll pass away ; And in this selfsame empty room Will the same chair and table stay, And image, ancient and stern. A butterfly, likewise today, In a fluffy tender, rainbow silk Will come on a sunny summer day To fly and trembling on a sunbeam Fathomless bottom of the sky Looks in the window day and night; And the azure sea with calmed light Tempts into boundless happy flight.