How few are we. Probably three...

Boris Pasternak 1890 (Moscow) – 1960 (Peredelkino)



How few are we. Probably three
In all-coallike, burning, infernal
Beneath the grey bark of the tree
Of wisdom, and clouds, and eternal
Debate on verse, transport, the part
The army will play-and on art.

We used to be human. We're eras,
We're trains, in a caravan ripping
Through woods, to the sighing and fears
Of engines, and groans of the sleepers.
We'll rush in, and circle in the throes
Of being, like a whirlwind of crows.

A miss! Much too late you will see it.
Thus galloping wind in the morning
In passing a straw pile will buffet-
The blow will live on as a warning
To riotous tree-tops, and mingle
With their wrangles over the shingles.

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Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on March 05, 2023

36 sec read
62

Quick analysis:

Scheme ABABCC XDXXEE XDXDBX
Closest metre Iambic tetrameter
Characters 636
Words 120
Stanzas 3
Stanza Lengths 6, 6, 6

Boris Pasternak

Boris Leonidovich Pasternak was a Russian poet, novelist, and literary translator. more…

All Boris Pasternak poems | Boris Pasternak Books

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