by Marina Tsvetaeva
These are ashes of treasures:
Of hurt and loss.
These are ashes in face of which
Granite is dross.
Dove, naked and brilliant,
It has no mate.
Solomon's ashes
Over vanity that's great.
Time's menacing chalkmark,
Not to be overthrown
Means God knocks at the door
- Once the house has burned down!
Not checked yet by refuse,
Days' and dreams' conqueror
Like a thunderbolt - Spirit
Of early grey hair.
It's not you who've betrayed me
On the home front years.
This grey is the triumph
Of immortal powers.
Robin's Nest 