Kirill Medvedev was kind enough to post my translation of his recent poem ‘Only revolution’ on his facebook page. The full text of my translation and a link to the original in Russian are below.
Only revolution
Well, we say, that’s that,
after this, there’s only revolution.
Only revolution
will help us, after this,
with our sitting at home in our flats.
Only revolution will give us the opportunity
to snivel, about how it’s all meaningless,
online.
Only revolution will let us keep arguing,
calling each other decayed defeatists.
Only revolution will let us face the question, at last,
head-on: shall we emigrate today or tomorrow?
Only revolution.
Only revolution will let us spend today
hiding in pamphlets.
Only revolution will give us the chance
to feel like uncompromising radicals
or peaceful sages,
or maybe we’ll just give up on all the hassle.
But for now these chances elude us,
so let’s get to the protest, comrade,
hurry up and get
your mouthy opportunistic arse off the ground.
Original text: https://www.facebook.com/kirill.medvedev.7/posts/2801724863247885
Reuben’s translations 