I have left Russia - I’m no longer there! My girls walk in tears through their day. I now sow my wild oats without care On the foreign fields of Champs Elysées. Someone mutters on a streetcar passing: "He’s not here! He’s at last gone bye bye! Let him sing now his songs foreign-fancy About the palace over there in Versailles." I hear behind me the trading of news: "Not that one! He left! Ask if you please!" "Not that one?" And they elbow through And in taxis they sit on their knees. A Magadan cell I had shared With my Civil War friend, who says now That I’d written him from over there, "I’m bored, Vanya, come over somehow!" I’ve already asked to be retaken I had begged, I had pleaded and called... But I won’t return! This is mistaken - Because I never did leave at all! I’ll give presents to all who believed So that they’ll get a movie happy end: L’Arc de Triomphe you’ll receive! The Renault factories, take them, friend! I am laughing, I’m dying from laughter! How this nonsense was ever believed! Do not worry - I haven’t left hereafter, And don’t hope, either - I will not leave.
© Tamara Vardomskaya. Translation, ?