A Widow in Black
A widow in black -- the crying fall
Covers all hearts with a depressing cloud...
While her man's words are clearly recalled,
She will not stop her lamentations loud.
It will be so, until the snow puff
Will give a mercy to the pined and tired.
Forgetfulness of suffering and love --
Though paid by life -- what more could be desired?
-Anna Akhmatova
This poem is very similar to a lot of Brodsky's work in its arrangement and subject matter. It describes a woman who has been widowed lamenting the loss of her husband. I find this poem is similar in imagery to that of Brodsky's "A Polar Explorer" and "Belfast Tune" in the way that it offers a profile of a person in a single moment.
Covers all hearts with a depressing cloud...
While her man's words are clearly recalled,
She will not stop her lamentations loud.
It will be so, until the snow puff
Will give a mercy to the pined and tired.
Forgetfulness of suffering and love --
Though paid by life -- what more could be desired?
-Anna Akhmatova
This poem is very similar to a lot of Brodsky's work in its arrangement and subject matter. It describes a woman who has been widowed lamenting the loss of her husband. I find this poem is similar in imagery to that of Brodsky's "A Polar Explorer" and "Belfast Tune" in the way that it offers a profile of a person in a single moment.
Alexander by Thebes
I think, the king was fierce, though young,
When he proclaimed, 'You’ll level Thebes with ground.'
And the old chief perceived this city proud,
He’d seen in times that are in sagas sung.
Set all to fire! The king listed else
The towers, the gates, the temples – rich and thriving…
But sank in thoughts, and said with lighted face,
'You just provide the Bard Home’s surviving.'
-Anna Akhmatova
This sounds like there is a definite political message involved in this poem, but I'm not familiar with what it would be referencing. Thebes is a city in Greece, and Alexander is an allusion to the king Alexander the Great. Thebes was destroyed by Alexander the Great during his conquest of Greece.
When he proclaimed, 'You’ll level Thebes with ground.'
And the old chief perceived this city proud,
He’d seen in times that are in sagas sung.
Set all to fire! The king listed else
The towers, the gates, the temples – rich and thriving…
But sank in thoughts, and said with lighted face,
'You just provide the Bard Home’s surviving.'
-Anna Akhmatova
This sounds like there is a definite political message involved in this poem, but I'm not familiar with what it would be referencing. Thebes is a city in Greece, and Alexander is an allusion to the king Alexander the Great. Thebes was destroyed by Alexander the Great during his conquest of Greece.
Joseph met Anna Akhmatova in 1960 and were friends for a very long time. Anna was an already established and well known poet. Her poems were mainly political in nature, and criticized the Soviet Union's oppression and corruption.
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