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.