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VIOLET ON THE MOUNTAIN<br />
But the Tsar had sent for me,<br />
His policeman stood before me:<br />
— You must go and join the army,<br />
It’s your number that they picked. —<br />
I set off to do my duty;<br />
There was no way out of this.<br />
I bid farewell to my family,<br />
Mother packed some food for me.<br />
Mother, there’s no point in grieving,<br />
There are many just like me,<br />
Many on the field of battle,<br />
Lunch and dinner for the crows.<br />
Dear Aleksi, where’ve you gone?<br />
Your sickle’s turned to rust, I fear.<br />
Your lovely wife is cheating on you,<br />
She’s become the Ossetes’ playmate.<br />
A lover’s heart<br />
O wretched mist, how you love<br />
To cling to the mountain tops,<br />
Or join up with the clouds<br />
And float with them in groups.<br />
My heart is scarred and wounded,<br />
It has yet to heal.<br />
What medicine could cure it,<br />
What could bring relief?<br />
Wretched heart, what have you done?<br />
What about you, fettered tongue?<br />
Rye-colored boy, you were singing,<br />
Then left — I wish I knew where.<br />
If I could turn into a bird,<br />
If I could learn how to fly,<br />
I would come flying to you,<br />
You know the birds’ language, I’m sure!<br />
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