I'Ve Asked Today A Pedlar (S. Esenin) Poem by Kseniya Rundel

A translation of a famous poem of the famous Russian poet Sergey Esenin (my translation's devoted to Sat)

I have asked today a pedlar old Abd-Allah,
Giving half a toman for a ruble:
How would I say to pretty Lala
In Persian very gentle “I love you”?

I have asked today the pedlar old Abd-Allah
Quieter Van and lighter than a breeze,
How would I say to pretty Lala
Softly very tender word “a kiss”?

I have asked again the pedlar old Abd-Allah,
Hiding my timidity in mind,
How would I say to pretty Lala
How would I say that she is “mine”?

The old pedlar answered very briefly:
T' speak of love in words is sure trifle,
People sigh about love in secret
And the eyes like rubies are alight.

No name for kiss is under heavens
Because a kiss is not an epitaph.
Kisses like red roses do savour,
Melting with the petals lips above.

From the love no one demands for duty,
Love gives grief and joy in equal score.
“You are mine” just hands can tell to beauty
Those hands that plucked the black chadOr.


1924

Thanks Alex for 'pedlar'.