Poem “Life is a deception with enchanting melancholy” by Sergei Yesenin in English with English and Russian side by side

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Translation of the poem “Life is a deception with enchanting melancholy” by Sergei Yesenin in English with English and Russian side by side
Short analysis of the poem “Life is a deception with enchanting melancholy” by Sergei Yesenin

Translation of the poem “Life is a deception with enchanting melancholy” by Sergei Yesenin in English with English and Russian side by side

Жизнь обман с чарующей тоскою	Life is a deception with enchanting melancholy

	Translated by Akirill.com Nov 20, 2023

Жизнь — обман с чарующей тоскою,	Life is a deception with enchanting melancholy
Оттого так и сильна она,	That is why it is so strong,
Что своею грубою рукою	That with its rough hand
Роковые пишет письмена.	It writes fatal letters.
.
Я всегда, когда глаза закрою,	I always, when closing my eyes,
Говорю: «Лишь сердце потревожь,	Say: “Just disturb our heart,
Жизнь — обман, но и она порою	Life is a deception, but sometimes it also
Украшает радостями ложь».	Decorates lies with joys.”
.
Обратись лицом к седому небу,	Turn your face to the gray sky,
По луне гадая о судьбе,	By the moon, guessing about fate,
Успокойся, смертный, и не требуй	Calm down, mortal, and do not demand
Правды той, что не нужна тебе.	The Truth that you do not need.
.
Хорошо в черемуховой вьюге	It’s good in a bird cherry blizzard
Думать так, что эта жизнь — стезя.	To think that this life is a path.
Пусть обманут легкие подруги,	Let your easy friends deceive you,
Пусть изменят легкие друзья.	Let easy friends mislead you.
.
Пусть меня ласкают нежным словом,	Let them caress you with gentle words,
Пусть острее бритвы злой язык.	Let the evil tongue be sharper than a razor.
Я живу давно на все готовым,	I have been living for a long time ready for anything,
Ко всему безжалостно привык.	I am mercilessly accustomed to everything.
.
Холодят мне душу эти выси,	These heights chill my soul,
Нет тепла от звездного огня.	There is no warmth from the starry fire.
Те, кого любил я, отреклися,	Those whom I loved renounced,
Кем я жил — забыли про меня.	Who I lived as – they forgot about me.
.
Но и все ж, теснимый и гонимый,	But still, oppressed and persecuted,
Я, смотря с улыбкой на зарю,	I, looking with a smile at the dawn,
На земле, мне близкой и любимой,	On earth, close and beloved to me,
Эту жизнь за все благодарю.	I thank this life for everything.

1825	August 1825

Short analysis of the poem “Life is a deception with enchanting melancholy” by Sergei Yesenin

The poem “Life is a deception with enchanting melancholy” is a poignant example of Sergei Yesenin’s late philosophical lyrics. Written in August 1925, shortly before his tragic suicide, the poem reflects his contemplation on life and death, as well as the fate of humankind on Earth. During this time, Yesenin was traveling across the country and happened to be in Mardakan, Azerbaijan. It is believed that he may have been struggling with tuberculosis, which likely contributed to his depression and ultimately led to his untimely demise. Despite the melancholic circumstances surrounding its creation, this poem serves as a testament to Yesenin’s profound introspection and artistic brilliance.

In the first quatrain of the poem, it becomes evident that Yesenin perceives life as a forceful entity. He portrays life as being strong, and having forceful hand, and having the power to write fatal letters. This imagery suggests that life possesses the power to deliver fatal outcomes, further illustrating Yesenin’s belief in its formidable nature.

Life is a deception with enchanting melancholy
That is why it is so strong,
That with its rough hand
It writes fatal letters.

In the second quatrain, life, as observed by the poet, is a master in the art of disguising the harsh realities of existence with delightful illusions. It is through these fleeting moments of happiness that our affection for life blossoms, enabling us to overlook the constant hardships it imposes upon us. The pure bliss we derive from the smile of a cherished companion makes us willingly forgive life’s relentless trials and tribulations. Perhaps that without the multitude of mistakes and inevitable retributions, we would not truly appreciate and savor the precious instants of joy that grace our lives. It is this intricate dance between adversity and elation that compels us to embrace the beauty of life’s paradoxical nature.

I always, when closing my eyes,
Say: “Just disturb our heart,
Life is a deception, but sometimes it also
Decorates lies with joys.”

Next, Yesenin reminds us that it may not be necessary to demand the complete truth from life at this moment. Sometimes, it is not essential for us to know everything at once. We can learn to accept that certain aspects of life may remain unknown for now, and that’s perfectly fine. It allows us to embrace the present moment and focus on what truly matters to us. So, instead of pursuing the whole truth, we can explore and appreciate the beauty of the journey.

Turn your face to the gray sky,
By the moon, guessing about fate,
Calm down, mortal, and do not demand
The Truth that you do not need.

Then in the fourth and fifth quatrain, Yesenin tells us that friends who deceive you is not a problem, because in this way we can find out what they are worth and whether they can be included in the short list of friends.

It’s good in a bird cherry blizzard
To think that this life is a path.
Let your easy friends deceive you,
Let easy friends mislead you.

Let them caress you with gentle words,
Let the evil tongue be sharper than a razor.
I have been living for a long time ready for anything,
I am mercilessly accustomed to everything.

In the sixth quatrain, the poet’s heart once burned with the warmth of star fire, but he got used to fame, which have its own complexities. A fundamental question about fame is: “is honor worth the accompanying burdens?”, but Sergei Yesenin did not live for fame alone. His purpose was driven by love for his cherished ones. Yet, as fame embraces him, he finds that his friends have turned their backs, forgotten him, or even disowned him. Such is the bittersweet nature of success, where the path to glory can be paved with loneliness and loss.

These heights chill my soul,
There is no warmth from the starry fire.
Those whom I loved renounced,
Who I lived as – they forgot about me.

And in the last quatrain, Yesenin’s deep appreciation for life shines through despite the challenges and betrayals he encountered in life. He regarded the land as a cherished entity, dear to his heart until December 1925, and he expressed his sincere reverence and admiration for his homeland, honoring it with these words as a tribute.

But still, oppressed and persecuted,
I, looking with a smile at the dawn,
On earth, close and beloved to me,
I thank this life for everything.

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Translation of the poem “Life is a deception with enchanting melancholy” by Sergei Yesenin in English with English and Russian side by side

Short analysis of the poem “Life is a deception with enchanting melancholy” by Sergei Yesenin

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