Anna Akhmatova

Andrey Kneller

Anna Akhmatova (June 23, 1889 - March 5, 1966) is considered by many to be one of the greatest Russian poets of the Silver Age. One of the forefront leaders of the Acmeism movement, which focused on rigorous form and directness of words, she was a master of conveying raw emotion in her portrayals of everyday situations. Her works range from short lyric love poetry to longer, more complex cycles, such as Requiem, a tragic depiction of the Stalinist terror. During the time of heavy censorship and persecution, her poetry gave voice to the Russian people. To this day, she remains one of Russia's most beloved poets and has left a lasting impression on generations of poets that came after her. Rosary, published in 1914, is Akhmatova's second book, and one of her most popular collections. After its publication, Akhmatova became a household name and further established her place among the greatest Russian poets.

Poetry of Anna Akhmatova

Rosary

maia

Oh, what sadness I'm feeling inside! Am I waiting for death's solemn bell? And the one who is dancing tonight, She will surely end up in hell.

 I know that he's alive, he's breathing, He dares to feel no sense of grief.

To walk upon the path of grieving? And death was reaching for you, pale... 

How fragile your throat, how frail Under that collar of blue. 

A song of praise, long and elegant, The flattering fate sings fervent. 

And I replied to him with laughter, “You're dooming both of us, my friend."

And, torturing so tenderly my hearing, You took away the bliss of repetition..."

There she deposited the words of breathless wonder 

Into the storehouse of my memory. And, having let go of the wicker basket, 

I fell atop the dry and fragrant earth, As if to the beloved, when love sings.

Rosary quotes

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