Harriet Monroe, ed. (1860–1936). The New Poetry: An Anthology. 1917.
A Russian EasterMarya Zaturensky
I
In the great cathedral of Moscow,
They will kneel before the holy ikons.
And the Child’s eyes are of blue jewels;
And golden and blue are the robes of the high priest.
And Irena’s gown will be embroidered in crimson.
Sergei will be there, and Igor
Will gaze with mystic Slav-eyes at the gold altar.
They will beat their breasts and pray for pardon;
They will arise shrived and forgiven!
They will weep for joy.
Crying, “Hail, brother, hail!”—
Crying, “Hail, sister, hail!”
Has arisen from his grave!
“Peace and brotherhood and love
Have arisen with the white Christ!”
Peace and brotherhood and love!
Since Christ is arisen, Christ is arisen,
Christ is arisen from the dead!
Wild with the love of God.
Natasha’s lover will kiss her forehead
Reverently as the hands of the high priest.
I shall weep remembering the blue cathedral;
I shall be sad in a strange country,
Thinking of Igor, Natasha and Sergei,
Irena, and the singing multitude.