Poet : Boris Pasternak Poet : Boris Pasternak The Poems of Doctor ZhivagoThe Poems of Doctor Zhivago

Translated by Christopher BarnesTranslated by Christopher Barnes

. Snow on snow the blizzard blew, All frontiers enswirling. A candle on the table stood -

A tallow candle burning.

.

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Like summer midges' swarming flight, Towards the candle chasing, The snowflakes eddied to the light, Converging on the casement.

And on the pane the blizzard hewed Its arrows, darts and circles. A candle on the table stood - A tallow candle burning .

And shadows settled overhead Upon the illumined ceiling, Dim forms of crossing arms and legs, Fate's shadows interlacing.

A pair of shoes slid to the floor And raised a sudden clatter, And on her gown the waxen flare Shed tears that oozed and spattered .

And all was lost in snowy murk, A pallid, gray-white blurring. The candle on the table stirred - A tallow candle burning .

A sudden draught breathed on the flame, Seductive fires enkindling, With arms outspread in cruciform Like two wings of an angel .

All February the blizzard raved, Yet ever and anon, unchanging, Candle and table still remained - A candle ever flaming .

Music “Avec Le TempsMusic “Avec Le Temps””