Moscow Carol

In such an inexplicable blue,

Upon the stonework to embark,

The little ship of glowing hue Appears in Alexander Park.

The little lamp, a yellow rose,

Arising -- ready to retreat -- Above the people it adores;

Near strangers' feet.

In such an inexplicable blue The drunkards' hive, the loonies' team.

A tourist takes a snapshot to Have left the town and keep no dream.

On the Ordynka street you find A taxicab with fevered gnomes,

And dead ancestors stand behind And lean on domes.

A poet strolls across the town In such an inexplicable blue.

A doorman watches him looking down And down the street and catches the flu.

An old and handsome cavalier Moves down a lane not worth a view,

And wedding-party guests appear In such an inexplicable blue.

Behind the river, in the haar,

As a collection of the blues -- The yellow walls reflecting far The hopeless accent of the Jews.

You move to Sunday, to despair (From love), to the New Year, and there Appears a girl you cannot woo -- Never explaining why she's blue.

Then in the night the town is lost;

A train is clad in silver plush.

The pallid puff, the draught of frost Will sheathe your face until you blush.

The honeycomb of windows fits The smell of halva and of zest,

While Christmas Eve is carrying its Mince pies abreast.

Watch your New Year come in a blue Seawave across the town terrain In such an inexplicable blue,

As if your life can start again,

As if there can be bread and light -- A lucky day -- and something's left,

As if your life can sway aright,

Once swayed aleft.