Boris Pasternak
It snowed and snowed, the whole world
over,
Snow swept the world from end to end.
A candle burned on the table;
A candle burned.
As during summer midges swarm
To beat their wings against a flame
Outside the snowflakes swarmed
To beat against the window pane
The blizzard sculptured on the glass
Arrows and whorls.
A candle burned on the table;
A candle burned.
Upon the lighted ceiling
Distorted shadows fell
Of crossed arms, crossed legs-
Of crossed destiny.
Two little shoes fell to the floor
With a thud.
A candle on a nightlight shed wax tears
On a dress.
All things were lost within
The snowy murk - white, hoary.
A candle burned on the table;
A candle burned.
A corner gust fluttered the flame
And the white fever of temptation
Uplifted its angel wings that cast
A cross-like shadow
It snowed hard through the month
Of February, and from time to time
A candle burned on the table;
A candle burned.
Alissa Firsova set this and two other poems from
Pasternak’s Dr Zhivago for voice and piano (for my 65th birthday).
Zhivago Songs op 20. Snow swept the world from end to end.
A candle burned on the table;
A candle burned.
As during summer midges swarm
To beat their wings against a flame
Outside the snowflakes swarmed
To beat against the window pane
The blizzard sculptured on the glass
Arrows and whorls.
A candle burned on the table;
A candle burned.
Upon the lighted ceiling
Distorted shadows fell
Of crossed arms, crossed legs-
Of crossed destiny.
Two little shoes fell to the floor
With a thud.
A candle on a nightlight shed wax tears
On a dress.
All things were lost within
The snowy murk - white, hoary.
A candle burned on the table;
A candle burned.
A corner gust fluttered the flame
And the white fever of temptation
Uplifted its angel wings that cast
A cross-like shadow
It snowed hard through the month
Of February, and from time to time
A candle burned on the table;
A candle burned.
A Happy Christmas to One and All.
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