The Translation: Not Literal, But Rhymes and Mostly Scans

Wings by Nautilus Pompilius

translated from Russian

You slip off your evening gown standing with your face to the wall

I see the fresh scars on your back, and I want to fall

Asleep and forget, cry in pain, and forget it, forget it all.

Where, where are your wings, your wings that I loved so much?

We used to have time, but all we have now is things to do:

Like proving the strong eat the weak, soot is white, and lies true.

There are things that we all have lost in this insane war – now, you:

Where, where are your wings, your wings that I loved so much?

I don’t ask about your men or your money; I never ask why.

I see you fear open windows and staircases rising too high.

But if tomorrow the building goes up in flames, we’ll all die

Without these wings, oh these wings that I loved so much.