Hops

Beneath the willow wound round with ivy

we take cover from the worst

of the storm, with a greatcoat round

our shoulders and my hands around your waist.

I've got it wrong. That isn't ivy

entwined in the bushes round

the wood, but hops. You intoxicate me!

Let's spread the greatcoat on the ground.                                             translated from the Russian by

                                            Jon Stallworthy and Peter France

a further translation by A S Kline:Khmel (Hops, and Intoxication)

Under the willow, wound with ivy,

we shelter from the storm.

A greatcoat covers our shoulders,

my arms, to keep you warm.

I’m wrong. The trees in this wood

are circled with hops not ivy.

Better to spread the coat

on the ground, here, beneath me.