Giraffe

Стихотворение Николая Гумилёва
Перевод Владимира Резникова

Your glance on this day is remarkably doleful and sad,
 And slender your arms when embracing those knees that I love,
 Now listen, quite far, far away – on a lake known as Chad,
 There walks an exquisite giraffe.

 He’s gracefully slender, and tenderness shines from within,
 A magical pattern adorns the bright costume he wears,
 And only the Moon would dare rival such elegant skin – 
 At night, as she glimmers and rocks on the rolling lake waves.

 When seen from afar, he’s a sail full of colorful hues,
 His gait at a run is the jubilant flight of a bird,
 I know that Earth is with magical stories imbued
 When every day’s eve he descends to his cave till the morn.

 Oh, many a tale do I know of mythical lands:
 About a lovely black lass, and a warrior powerful and brave,
 But long, far too long, you have breathed in this fog – murky damp,
 Alas, but you choose to believe but in gray falling rain.

 So how could I tell you of gardens bright, tropically clad?
 Of tall slender palm trees, of herbs rare and fragrant, my Love?
 You’re crying? Now listen, quite far – on a lake known as Chad,
 There walks an exquisite giraffe…