FROM STONE

AGAINST THE PALE BLUE ENAMEL , THE SHADE

 THAT MAKES EVERY APRIL THE SAME ,

THE BIRCH TREE'S  BRANCHES SWAYED 

AND EVENING SHYLY CAME.

THE PATTERN PRECISE AND COMPLETE ,

  MADE A NETWORK OF THINLY ETCHED LINES .

LIKE THE ONES ON A PORCELAIN PLATE 

WITH IT'S CAREFULLY DRAWN DESIGN ,

WHEN THE DEAR ARTIST DRAWS UNTIL 

THE FIRM GLAZE HOLDS WHAT HE WROUGHT ,

FOR THAT MOMENT AWARE OF HIS SKILL 

       AND SAD DEATH FORGET .

       BY  " OSIP EMELYEVICH  MANDELSTAM "

                         { 14 JAN 1891 - 21 DEC 1938 }