To prolong that is our direction ; THE FLOWERS OF RUINS Auezkhan Kodar Poems 1. SHOKAN IN PETERBURG Petersburg is in fog... I can’t see All its houses, and coaches, and people... Eh! where is now a steppe horse for me! For I could cease my pain if I’m cripple! To gallop away... from them, rouged amours, From them, fools of bad exalted rank. Forgive me friend, you’re my friend Petersburg; There are too many things that I can’t understand. All in fog... and the duty of citizenship, And the great mission of the Great Russians. And I ramble as wolf among sheep, Trying to be their guest in dissimulation. I am not son of yours, but am real. Fatherland waits for me, disease breeder. My nation is doomed to standstill, But I’ll be its intellectual leader. Our ancient world writhes in labour. Why this punishment is my best bet? For my Kazakhs I am some strange neighbour, For the Russians – a savage with epaulets. And the circle grows narrow in the end. Only mountain steeps do adore me. «Life is nothing to the Eternity, friend!» – Says some lieutenant in disgrace before me. Where are you, Time?.. lend your hand... How many broken fates in fog aloof... Horse under Peter stands like candle, Still, and digging cool air by his hoof. 2. LETTER TO NOWHERE I’m gonna write a letter to shake off this creeping malaise.