Translation of Poem by Anna Akhmatova, Анна Ахматова, "Бессонница," INSOMNIA

 

Анна Ахматова
(1889-1966)

Бессонница

 

Где-то кошки жалобно мяукают,
Звук шагов я издали ловлю...
Хорошо твои слова баюкают:
Третий месяц я от них не сплю.

Ты опять, опять со мной, бессонница!
Неподвижный лик твой узнаю.
Что, красавица, что, беззаконница,
Разве плохо я тебе пою?

Окна тканью белою завершены,
Полумрак струится голубой... 
Или дальней вестью мы утешены?
Отчего мне так легко с тобой?

Winter, 1912
Tsarskoe Selo

d

Literal Translation by Judith Hemschemeyer

Somewhere cats are mewing pitifully,
I catch the sound of distant steps...
Your words are a wonderful lullaby:
Because of them for three months I haven't slept.

Insomnia, you are with me again, again!
I recognize your fixed countenance.
What is it, my outlaw, what is it, my pretty one,
Do I sing so badly to you?

White cloth curtains the windows,
Dim light streams blue...
Or are we being consoled by news from afar?
Why do I feel so at ease with you?

d

                                           Literary Translation/Adaptation by U.R. Bowie

                                                                            Insomnia

Somewhere the felines are plaintively mewling,
I catch tip-taps of footsteps from afar near daybreak. . .
The lullaby tones of your words are so soothing:
For three solid months now they keep me awake.
 
Once again you are with me, insomnia dear,
With your motionless visage so flawless.
You beautiful creature, so wanton and lawless,
Do my songs not ring soft in your ear?
 
The windows are trimmed in some off-white motif,
The blue light of gloaming streams through. . .
Or can we in news from afar find relief?
Why is it I feel so at ease when with you?