I asked: "Why are you climbing up the mountain in vain?" But you walked to the peak, your resolve was so strong. "You’d get great views of Mount Elbrus from the aeroplane." You began to laugh and took me along. And since then you’ve grown close to me, so loving and kind, Mountaineer girl of mine, my girl loving to climb! As you pulled me from a crevice for the very first time How you smiled at me, mountaineer girl of mine. But with all those damn crevices I’ve fallen in since When I praised the meal you cooked to the skies All I got was two slaps so sharp I couldn’t but wince But I wasn’t upset and just said in reply: "Oh, you’re so sweet and close to me, so loving and kind, Mountaineer girl of mine, my girl loving to climb! As you searched for me lost in those gaps all the time You were moaning at me, mountaineer girl of mine." Then each time that we’d climb up yet another incline - Oh but why can I see so little trust in your eyes? - With delights you’d protect me and keep me in line, Mountaineer girl of mine, so elastic and lithe. Oh, you’re no longer close to me, nor loving or kind, Mountaineer girl of mine, my girl loving to climb! Every time that you pulled me from another ravine You were shouting at me, mountaineer girl of mine. I still tried to keep up although the going grew tough; I got so close to you you were an arm’s length away. I’ll get out of this hole and say: "Darling, enough!" - But I fell back down, though I managed to say: "Oh, you’re so sweet and close to me, so loving and kind, Mountaineer girl of mine, my girl loving to climb! Now we two have been bound by the same climbing line We have both become mountaineers this time."
© Margaret & Stas Porokhnya. Translation, 2008