Творчество - пер. Р. Рождественского

Creativity
by Robert Rozhdestvensky

     to Ernst Neisvestny

How the stone goes alive?
At first
it does not believe
in the power of cutter...
But gradually
from the whole smoke
appears the face.
More truly - the similarity of face.
It does not belong to anybody.
It is without voice.
It is likrly to be displayed.
It agrees to belong to some various creature.
To baby,
   to woman,
       to hero,
          to an old man...
So the stone goes alive.
It is -
on its way.
Only one
thing it doesn't wish:
to stay
in the old state.
And not to go further...
But here's
with one great moment
the determination of Man is plaited.
But here's
with an asking cry from a chest
all the workshop
is full up to edges:
"Be quick!
Be quick, painter!
Why do you hesitate?
You have no any right
to hesitate!
You'll give me life!
You ought to give.
You are able to give.
I wish to live!
I'm beginning
to live.
Believe into me lightly and passionately.

Learn!
As a tree bud in may, open me.
Find out me!
So that along my granite veins
the stone blood
would bleed
in portions.
Believe in me!..
The tall,
alive,
over the oblique cheek
a tear is falling...
Look!
Look quickly!
I'm opening
my granite eyes
in a sorrow.
Look:
I'm waiting for the true wind.
Your spring
had already come
inside me!.."
And man,
who has created
this,
is standing and smoking at window.

1961