“To kiss a forehead is to erase worry.”

By Marina Tsvetaeva

Translated from Russian by Ilya Kaminsky

February 1, 2005

Russia

To kiss a forehead is to erase worry.
I kiss your forehead.

To kiss the eyes is to lift sleeplessness.
I kiss your eyes.

To kiss the lips is to drink water.
I kiss your lips.

To kiss a forehead is to erase memory.
I kiss your forehead.

To kiss a forehead is to erase worry.
I kiss your forehead.

To kiss the eyes is to lift sleeplessness.
I kiss your eyes.

To kiss the lips is to drink water.
I kiss your lips.

To kiss a forehead is to erase memory.
I kiss your forehead.

Marina Tsvetaeva is widely acknowledged by critics…

Ilya Kaminsky is the author of Dancing in Odessa and Deaf Republic.