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Sergey Gorodetzky
149
THE BIRCH TREE
Upon an amber day I loved you first,
When, summoned by the radiant azure,
From every grateful twig there burst
Sweet indolence in dripping measure.
Your whitely shining body gleamed as white
As heady foam on lakes unfolding,
Gay laughing Lel[1] drew out the bright
Black hair, its beauty lightly holding.
Himself, the god Yarila[2] crowned your hair
With garlands green in gorgeous pleasure,
And flung it, plaited, to the air:
Green glory tossed upon the azure.
