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A Parallel Convergence: Three Contemporary Russian Poets

April 2017

In this collection, originally featured in the April 2017 issue of Words Without Borders, we bring you the work of three contemporary Russian-language poets in honor of National Poetry Month, with an introduction by guest editors Alex Cigale and Dana Golin.

A Parallel Convergence: Three Contemporary Russian Poets

By Alex Cigale & Dana Golin

The three poets collected here are “outliers,” who yet may be read as having points of commonality with developments in post-war American poetry.

Translated from Russian

From “Poems”

By Mikhail Eremin

The post-war ruins (Roofs ripped off, / The charred walls.)

Translated from Russian by Alex Cigale

Multilingual

Three Poems

By Shamshad Abdullaev

The day was silent to distraction, / only the dog’s growl traveled beyond the window

Translated from Russian by Alex Cigale & Dana Golin

Multilingual

Eddie’s Funeral

By Amarsana Ulzytuev

But his dirty ears are resistant to their tender entreating, / And the thick lips will not stretch from these ears into a smile

Translated from Russian by Alex Cigale

Multilingual