The Poets Corner
+6
Night-Reaper
coontie
Theophilus
Qi123
CarolinaHound
Old Timer
10 posters
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The Poets Corner
by Old Timer Wed Jan 28, 2009 10:37 pm
So do we have any poets out there or do we let this die a slow death. I will look for the one that I wrote. If I can find it I will post it. but until then, this will have to do.
Roses aren't red
Violets aren't blue
Sugar aint sweet
And neither are you.
Roses aren't red
Violets aren't blue
Sugar aint sweet
And neither are you.
Old Timer-
Number of posts : 4718
Registration date : 2009-01-13
Re: The Poets Corner
by CarolinaHound Wed Jan 28, 2009 10:49 pm
Gloom
There I laid
On the bed as I prayed
In the corner of the room
The spirit of gloom
He was not calling to me
He just sat and let me be
I knew he felt my fear
But he would not see me shed a tear
He watched me with a glare
I returned it with flair
Quietly he waited
His presence I hated
No one to blame
I lit the flame
The path to hell
It was not his betrayal
I built that road
In my life evil had flowed
And I bought the ferry ticket
Thought I could trick it
From within me anger grew
I refused to be through
"Go back to hell death!"
"You'll not take my breath!"
"I will live!"
"My time on Earth I won't give"
There I laid
On the bed as I prayed
In the corner of the room
The spirit of gloom
He was not calling to me
He just sat and let me be
I knew he felt my fear
But he would not see me shed a tear
He watched me with a glare
I returned it with flair
Quietly he waited
His presence I hated
No one to blame
I lit the flame
The path to hell
It was not his betrayal
I built that road
In my life evil had flowed
And I bought the ferry ticket
Thought I could trick it
From within me anger grew
I refused to be through
"Go back to hell death!"
"You'll not take my breath!"
"I will live!"
"My time on Earth I won't give"
CarolinaHound-
Number of posts : 4843
Age : 54
Location : Fayetteville NC
Job/hobbies : Being loveable me.
Humor : yes
Registration date : 2009-01-13 -
Qi123-
Number of posts : 281
Age : 40
Location : In front the computer
Humor : Hahaha
Registration date : 2009-01-26
Re: The Poets Corner
by Old Timer Thu Jan 29, 2009 11:49 am
The Long Road To Nowhere
Endless, aimless, the road never changes,
stretching on and on forever.
There is no beginning, there is no end.
Lost souls drifting, seeking a way off,
but ne'er to be found.
Time stand still, yet passes you by.
Darkness never ending, yet light as day.
Exits returning you to the road you're
trying to escape.
Trapped in a vortex, limbo, unable to move.
Barricades, hurdles, pitfalls blocking my way.
Unable to continue, yet I cannot stop.
At long last a light, the end in sight,
as always just out of reach.
The faster I move toward it,
the further away it seems to be.
Taunting, teasing, alwys calling me forward.
Trapped, alone, I cry out in anguish,
but no one hears
My cries are lost among the chorus of other voices.
All hope is gone, my prayers unanswered.
I can only press ever forwrd, searching,
seeking in vain for the end.
The end to the long road to nowhere.
Endless, aimless, the road never changes,
stretching on and on forever.
There is no beginning, there is no end.
Lost souls drifting, seeking a way off,
but ne'er to be found.
Time stand still, yet passes you by.
Darkness never ending, yet light as day.
Exits returning you to the road you're
trying to escape.
Trapped in a vortex, limbo, unable to move.
Barricades, hurdles, pitfalls blocking my way.
Unable to continue, yet I cannot stop.
At long last a light, the end in sight,
as always just out of reach.
The faster I move toward it,
the further away it seems to be.
Taunting, teasing, alwys calling me forward.
Trapped, alone, I cry out in anguish,
but no one hears
My cries are lost among the chorus of other voices.
All hope is gone, my prayers unanswered.
I can only press ever forwrd, searching,
seeking in vain for the end.
The end to the long road to nowhere.
Old Timer-
Number of posts : 4718
Registration date : 2009-01-13
Re: The Poets Corner
by Guest Thu Jan 29, 2009 8:00 pm
A Lonely Child
She's a lonely child
among uncaring strangers.
She's too shy to reach out,
so she stands back and waits.
The waiting is long and difficult;
and she becomes afraid.
She turns her back and pretends
she no longer cares.
The pain continues to grow and
the silence gets colder.
The closed circles haunt her
and she runs away.
Her trust begins to die, and
she curls in upon herself.
She's a woman now, but the
frightened child remains.
She's a lonely child
among uncaring strangers.
She's too shy to reach out,
so she stands back and waits.
The waiting is long and difficult;
and she becomes afraid.
She turns her back and pretends
she no longer cares.
The pain continues to grow and
the silence gets colder.
The closed circles haunt her
and she runs away.
Her trust begins to die, and
she curls in upon herself.
She's a woman now, but the
frightened child remains.
Guest- Guest
Re: The Poets Corner
by Theophilus Thu Jan 29, 2009 8:01 pm
Here is a part from a poem I wrote many years ago......
For the heart hangs by a rope
Without love there is no hope
The heavy axe swings down
My head rolling to the ground
My eyes looking to sky
Searching for the reason why
Now the sky grows dark
Thus ends the life I never had the chance to start.
--howdy.... All rights reserved.
For the heart hangs by a rope
Without love there is no hope
The heavy axe swings down
My head rolling to the ground
My eyes looking to sky
Searching for the reason why
Now the sky grows dark
Thus ends the life I never had the chance to start.
--howdy.... All rights reserved.
Last edited by howdy on Fri Jan 30, 2009 1:31 am; edited 1 time in total
Theophilus-
Number of posts : 914
Location : Beautiful Northern California.
Humor : I miss the humor in what people say at times.
Registration date : 2009-01-15
Re: The Poets Corner
by Old Timer Thu Jan 29, 2009 9:08 pm
howdy wrote:Here is a part from a poem I wrote many years ago......
For the heart hangs by a rope
Without love there is no hope
The heavy axe swings down
My head rolling to the ground
My eyes looking to sky
Searching for the reason why
Now the sky grows dark
Thus ends the life I never had the chance to start.
So why not write it all. It looks good.
Old Timer-
Number of posts : 4718
Registration date : 2009-01-13
Re: The Poets Corner
by Theophilus Thu Jan 29, 2009 9:47 pm
Old Timer wrote:howdy wrote:Here is a part from a poem I wrote many years ago......
For the heart hangs by a rope
Without love there is no hope
The heavy axe swings down
My head rolling to the ground
My eyes looking to sky
Searching for the reason why
Now the sky grows dark
Thus ends the life I never had the chance to start.
So why not write it all. It looks good.
Because I felt that was the best part. I was thinking that should be the main part of the poem if not the poem. So lets just roll with this as the complete poem. I guess I could call this one Hope Unfound.
Do you think that would be a good tittle?
Theophilus-
Number of posts : 914
Location : Beautiful Northern California.
Humor : I miss the humor in what people say at times.
Registration date : 2009-01-15
Re: The Poets Corner
by Old Timer Thu Jan 29, 2009 10:40 pm
Sounds good to me, but you have to be the final judge on that call as it is really your poem.
Old Timer-
Number of posts : 4718
Registration date : 2009-01-13
Re: The Poets Corner
by Theophilus Fri Jan 30, 2009 12:58 am
Old Timer wrote:Sounds good to me, but you have to be the final judge on that call as it is really your poem.
What is, is.
Therefore, it is.
--howdy
Theophilus-
Number of posts : 914
Location : Beautiful Northern California.
Humor : I miss the humor in what people say at times.
Registration date : 2009-01-15
Re: The Poets Corner
by coontie Fri Jan 30, 2009 10:14 pm
[quote="howdy"]
What is, is.
Therefore, it is.
interesting... I never thought of it that way before. Dang... just goes to demonstrate again; you learn something new all the time!
Old Timer wrote:Sounds good to me, but you have to be the final judge on that call as it is really your poem.
What is, is.
Therefore, it is.
interesting... I never thought of it that way before. Dang... just goes to demonstrate again; you learn something new all the time!
coontie-
Number of posts : 999
Age : 87
Location : Lake Butler, Baker County, Florida
Job/hobbies : elect. engr., comp. sys. Astrologer, Horticulture
Humor : Yes...
Registration date : 2009-01-21
Re: The Poets Corner
by Guest Tue Feb 03, 2009 9:59 pm
A Poem's Birth
Somewhere deep inside there lurks
a perfect work of art.
It may only take a word or sound
for the poem to begin to come to life.
The words may come slowly and hesitantly,
or pour forth like a bursting dam.
At times it happens so fast, I can
scarcely write fast enough.
Other times, I'll sit and stare
without writing a single word.
Ideas can come in a dream or even
while I'm at a daily task.
A thought can be triggered by the
flight of a bird or a single tear.
Poignant memories can fill a page
without me even being aware of it.
And, sometimes it is a mosaic of unfinished
poems fitted together like a puzzle.
Each piece is carefully trimmed, shaped
and polished until the poem shines.
Somewhere deep inside there lurks
a perfect work of art.
It may only take a word or sound
for the poem to begin to come to life.
The words may come slowly and hesitantly,
or pour forth like a bursting dam.
At times it happens so fast, I can
scarcely write fast enough.
Other times, I'll sit and stare
without writing a single word.
Ideas can come in a dream or even
while I'm at a daily task.
A thought can be triggered by the
flight of a bird or a single tear.
Poignant memories can fill a page
without me even being aware of it.
And, sometimes it is a mosaic of unfinished
poems fitted together like a puzzle.
Each piece is carefully trimmed, shaped
and polished until the poem shines.
Guest- Guest
Re: The Poets Corner
by Theophilus Wed Feb 04, 2009 1:03 am
[quote="coontie"]
Being a smart ass are we?
hehe.
howdy wrote:Old Timer wrote:Sounds good to me, but you have to be the final judge on that call as it is really your poem.
What is, is.
Therefore, it is.
interesting... I never thought of it that way before. Dang... just goes to demonstrate again; you learn something new all the time!
Being a smart ass are we?
hehe.
Theophilus-
Number of posts : 914
Location : Beautiful Northern California.
Humor : I miss the humor in what people say at times.
Registration date : 2009-01-15
Re: The Poets Corner
by Theophilus Wed Feb 04, 2009 1:06 am
OT's Better Half wrote:A Poem's Birth
Somewhere deep inside there lurks
a perfect work of art.
It may only take a word or sound
for the poem to begin to come to life.
The words may come slowly and hesitantly,
or pour forth like a bursting dam.
At times it happens so fast, I can
scarcely write fast enough.
Other times, I'll sit and stare
without writing a single word.
Ideas can come in a dream or even
while I'm at a daily task.
A thought can be triggered by the
flight of a bird or a single tear.
Poignant memories can fill a page
without me even being aware of it.
And, sometimes it is a mosaic of unfinished
poems fitted together like a puzzle.
Each piece is carefully trimmed, shaped
and polished until the poem shines.
You have no idea how much these words mean to me.
Thank you so much.
Theophilus-
Number of posts : 914
Location : Beautiful Northern California.
Humor : I miss the humor in what people say at times.
Registration date : 2009-01-15
Re: The Poets Corner
by Night-Reaper Wed Feb 04, 2009 9:15 pm
Nice one OT. heheheOld Timer wrote:So do we have any poets out there or do we let this die a slow death. I will look for the one that I wrote. If I can find it I will post it. but until then, this will have to do.
Roses aren't red
Violets aren't blue
Sugar aint sweet
And neither are you.
Night-Reaper-
Number of posts : 832
Location : Washington
Humor : being a wise cracker
Registration date : 2009-01-16
Re: The Poets Corner
by Guest Wed Feb 04, 2009 10:46 pm
howdy wrote:OT's Better Half wrote:A Poem's Birth
Somewhere deep inside there lurks
a perfect work of art.
It may only take a word or sound
for the poem to begin to come to life.
The words may come slowly and hesitantly,
or pour forth like a bursting dam.
At times it happens so fast, I can
scarcely write fast enough.
Other times, I'll sit and stare
without writing a single word.
Ideas can come in a dream or even
while I'm at a daily task.
A thought can be triggered by the
flight of a bird or a single tear.
Poignant memories can fill a page
without me even being aware of it.
And, sometimes it is a mosaic of unfinished
poems fitted together like a puzzle.
Each piece is carefully trimmed, shaped
and polished until the poem shines.
You have no idea how much these words mean to me.
Thank you so much.
I'm glad you liked it. Before I met Jim, sometimes paper, pens & books were my only friends.
Sad, but true. Keep smiling!
Guest- Guest
Re: The Poets Corner
by HotParadox Wed Feb 04, 2009 11:22 pm
Here's one, OT, that I love. I put a copy of this poem in each of my childrens' treasure boxes shortly after each was born, hoping that someday they would happen upon it and read it.
Father's Family Name
Anonymous
You got it from your father
It was all he had to give
So it's yours to use and cherish
For as long as you may live
If you lost the watch he gave you
It can always be replaced;
But a black mark on your name
Can never be erased
It was clean the day you took it
And a worthy name to bear
When he got it from his father
There was no dishonor there
So make sure you guard it wisely
After all is said and done
You'll be glad the name is spotless
When you give it to your son
Father's Family Name
Anonymous
You got it from your father
It was all he had to give
So it's yours to use and cherish
For as long as you may live
If you lost the watch he gave you
It can always be replaced;
But a black mark on your name
Can never be erased
It was clean the day you took it
And a worthy name to bear
When he got it from his father
There was no dishonor there
So make sure you guard it wisely
After all is said and done
You'll be glad the name is spotless
When you give it to your son
HotParadox-
Number of posts : 4051
Location : Boston
Registration date : 2009-01-13
Re: The Poets Corner
by Guest Thu Feb 05, 2009 11:01 pm
HotParadox wrote:Here's one, OT, that I love. I put a copy of this poem in each of my childrens' treasure boxes shortly after each was born, hoping that someday they would happen upon it and read it.
Father's Family Name
Anonymous
You got it from your father
It was all he had to give
So it's yours to use and cherish
For as long as you may live
If you lost the watch he gave you
It can always be replaced;
But a black mark on your name
Can never be erased
It was clean the day you took it
And a worthy name to bear
When he got it from his father
There was no dishonor there
So make sure you guard it wisely
After all is said and done
You'll be glad the name is spotless
When you give it to your son
Absolutely beautiful
Guest- Guest
Re: The Poets Corner
by jigglepete Sat Feb 07, 2009 1:36 pm
As I write this word
Sounds can be heard,
From right outside my door.
A whump, and a crack
I hit the floor.
Arms covering head
Should I just have stayed in bed?
As my fear unfurled
Is it the end of the world?
I fetally (poetic license) lie, with hands between thighs
I remembered it's only a Live Fire Exercise.
So I tried...
Sounds can be heard,
From right outside my door.
A whump, and a crack
I hit the floor.
Arms covering head
Should I just have stayed in bed?
As my fear unfurled
Is it the end of the world?
I fetally (poetic license) lie, with hands between thighs
I remembered it's only a Live Fire Exercise.
So I tried...
jigglepete-
Number of posts : 162
Age : 58
Location : Vermont
Job/hobbies : Gardening/GARdening
Humor : Some think yes...
Registration date : 2009-01-15
Re: The Poets Corner
by Guest Sat Feb 07, 2009 9:38 pm
jigglepete wrote:As I write this word
Sounds can be heard,
From right outside my door.
A whump, and a crack
I hit the floor.
Arms covering head
Should I just have stayed in bed?
As my fear unfurled
Is it the end of the world?
I fetally (poetic license) lie, with hands between thighs
I remembered it's only a Live Fire Exercise.
So I tried...
Sounds good to me. Plus, it's never too late to start!
Guest- Guest
Re: The Poets Corner
by Guest Sat Feb 07, 2009 9:45 pm
He Told Me He Loved Me
He told me he loved me,
yet words need not have been spoken.
He said that the sun rose in my smile,
and filled his heart with joy.
He held my hand through pain,
and eased my sorrow and fear.
He taught me how to survive,
then he showed me how to live.
He strengthened my spirit and,
breathed lightness into my soul.
He gave me what I needed and in return,
accepted what I could give.
He told me he loved me,
then he asked me to share his life.
He told me he loved me,
yet words need not have been spoken.
He said that the sun rose in my smile,
and filled his heart with joy.
He held my hand through pain,
and eased my sorrow and fear.
He taught me how to survive,
then he showed me how to live.
He strengthened my spirit and,
breathed lightness into my soul.
He gave me what I needed and in return,
accepted what I could give.
He told me he loved me,
then he asked me to share his life.
Guest- Guest
Re: The Poets Corner
by HotParadox Sat Feb 07, 2009 9:55 pm
It is, Linda. Words so soft, yet so poignant...OT's Better Half wrote:HotParadox wrote:Here's one, OT, that I love. I put a copy of this poem in each of my childrens' treasure boxes shortly after each was born, hoping that someday they would happen upon it and read it.
Father's Family Name
Anonymous
You got it from your father
It was all he had to give
So it's yours to use and cherish
For as long as you may live
If you lost the watch he gave you
It can always be replaced;
But a black mark on your name
Can never be erased
It was clean the day you took it
And a worthy name to bear
When he got it from his father
There was no dishonor there
So make sure you guard it wisely
After all is said and done
You'll be glad the name is spotless
When you give it to your son
Absolutely beautiful
HotParadox-
Number of posts : 4051
Location : Boston
Registration date : 2009-01-13
Re: The Poets Corner
by Old Timer Sat Feb 07, 2009 11:11 pm
You and Linda, two ball and chains, two peas in a pod. I'm going to mars. It would be safer for me there. 
Old Timer-
Number of posts : 4718
Registration date : 2009-01-13
Re: The Poets Corner
by HotParadox Sat Feb 07, 2009 11:20 pm
Ya, good idea. Go to mars and take Guy with you.Old Timer wrote:You and Linda, two ball and chains, two peas in a pod. I'm going to mars. It would be safer for me there.
HotParadox-
Number of posts : 4051
Location : Boston
Registration date : 2009-01-13
Re: The Poets Corner
by Old Timer Sun Feb 08, 2009 11:19 am
HotParadox wrote:Ya, good idea. Go to mars and take Guy with you.Old Timer wrote:You and Linda, two ball and chains, two peas in a pod. I'm going to mars. It would be safer for me there.
Well at least we might get some peace and quiet there. hehehehehe
Old Timer-
Number of posts : 4718
Registration date : 2009-01-13
Re: The Poets Corner
by BiR Sun Feb 08, 2009 11:42 am
It's a pity, that I don't write poetry, especially in English... 
BiR-
Number of posts : 241
Age : 60
Location : The Dark Side of the Sun, Moscow, Russia.
Job/hobbies : Layout Designer/English and Russian subtitles
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Re: The Poets Corner
by HotParadox Sun Feb 08, 2009 11:50 am
Pipe down and go to sleep.Old Timer wrote:HotParadox wrote:Ya, good idea. Go to mars and take Guy with you.Old Timer wrote:You and Linda, two ball and chains, two peas in a pod. I'm going to mars. It would be safer for me there.
Well at least we might get some peace and quiet there. hehehehehe
HotParadox-
Number of posts : 4051
Location : Boston
Registration date : 2009-01-13
Re: The Poets Corner
by HotParadox Sun Feb 08, 2009 11:51 am
Write anything that comes to mind. That would be nice.BiR wrote:It's a pity, that I don't write poetry, especially in English...
HotParadox-
Number of posts : 4051
Location : Boston
Registration date : 2009-01-13
Re: The Poets Corner
by BiR Sun Feb 08, 2009 12:07 pm
HotParadox wrote:Write anything that comes to mind. That would be nice.
OK. But it is not my work...
I'm a folklore element,
I have got a document!
I can fly away from here
Any time, at any moment!
Sorry, I have gone astray,
It just happened that way,
Don't be strict to me, I'm only
A child of nature, so to say!
BiR-
Number of posts : 241
Age : 60
Location : The Dark Side of the Sun, Moscow, Russia.
Job/hobbies : Layout Designer/English and Russian subtitles
Humor : Да/Yes
Registration date : 2009-01-17 -
Re: The Poets Corner
by HotParadox Sun Feb 08, 2009 1:35 pm
That is lovely, BiR. You have put some sunshine in my day! Thank you!BiR wrote:HotParadox wrote:Write anything that comes to mind. That would be nice.
OK. But it is not my work...
I'm a folklore element,
I have got a document!
I can fly away from here
Any time, at any moment!
Sorry, I have gone astray,
It just happened that way,
Don't be strict to me, I'm only
A child of nature, so to say!
HotParadox-
Number of posts : 4051
Location : Boston
Registration date : 2009-01-13
Re: The Poets Corner
by BiR Sun Feb 08, 2009 2:07 pm
HotParadox wrote:That is lovely, BiR. You have put some sunshine in my day! Thank you!
One more sunshine...
JOKER
Believe it or not, once there lived soldier Fedot, and this is the tale of the daring fellow. He was neither handsome nor a fright, neither wealthy nor hard up, neither ragged nor dressed up, neither pale nor ruddy-faced, he was so-so, quite commonplace. Fedot's mission was hunting and fishing. The Tsar had fish and game, Fedot had thanks, and that was his gain. The Tsar's palace was crammed with travellers. One was a Greek, another Hawaiian, a third was a Swede, and they all needed a feed! One wanted lobsters, another wanted oysters, a third wanted a prawn while the catcher was only one.
One day Fedot was ordered to come to the court. The Tsar was the shrimp of a man, his head like a little onion, while his malice could fill the whole palace. He looked at Fedot as if to say: «I can't stomach you anyway».
Out of dread Fedot turned wet, his ears started ringing, his guts gave way, and here's the beginning of the tale, so to say
TSAR
The British envoy has come for
Our refreshment after night before,
While we only have to eat
Stale bread, a bone... and that's it!
You must go and bring some food,
Something special, something good,
Say, a partridge, or a grouse
Or whatever, from the wood.
If you can't do that, my dear,
I shall have to execute you, hear?
It's a matter of importance,
A state affair, is it clear?
FEDOT
Yes, of course, I understand,
I'm wise enough for that,
A stupid bumpkin I'm not,
And I do know what is what.
Well, as far as I can see,
I make all the policy,
If I fail to shoot a grouse,
There will be a war on us.
To content the British guest
I shall do my double best,
Even at the cost of life
I'll procure some food-stuff.
BiR-
Number of posts : 241
Age : 60
Location : The Dark Side of the Sun, Moscow, Russia.
Job/hobbies : Layout Designer/English and Russian subtitles
Humor : Да/Yes
Registration date : 2009-01-17 -
Re: The Poets Corner
by HotParadox Sun Feb 08, 2009 2:35 pm
BiR, that is so entertaining a tale! Lovely and funny, too. I love that little story and the poem, too.BiR wrote:HotParadox wrote:That is lovely, BiR. You have put some sunshine in my day! Thank you!
One more sunshine...
JOKER
Believe it or not, once there lived soldier Fedot, and this is the tale of the daring fellow. He was neither handsome nor a fright, neither wealthy nor hard up, neither ragged nor dressed up, neither pale nor ruddy-faced, he was so-so, quite commonplace. Fedot's mission was hunting and fishing. The Tsar had fish and game, Fedot had thanks, and that was his gain. The Tsar's palace was crammed with travellers. One was a Greek, another Hawaiian, a third was a Swede, and they all needed a feed! One wanted lobsters, another wanted oysters, a third wanted a prawn while the catcher was only one.
One day Fedot was ordered to come to the court. The Tsar was the shrimp of a man, his head like a little onion, while his malice could fill the whole palace. He looked at Fedot as if to say: «I can't stomach you anyway».
Out of dread Fedot turned wet, his ears started ringing, his guts gave way, and here's the beginning of the tale, so to say
TSAR
The British envoy has come for
Our refreshment after night before,
While we only have to eat
Stale bread, a bone... and that's it!
You must go and bring some food,
Something special, something good,
Say, a partridge, or a grouse
Or whatever, from the wood.
If you can't do that, my dear,
I shall have to execute you, hear?
It's a matter of importance,
A state affair, is it clear?
FEDOT
Yes, of course, I understand,
I'm wise enough for that,
A stupid bumpkin I'm not,
And I do know what is what.
Well, as far as I can see,
I make all the policy,
If I fail to shoot a grouse,
There will be a war on us.
To content the British guest
I shall do my double best,
Even at the cost of life
I'll procure some food-stuff.
HotParadox-
Number of posts : 4051
Location : Boston
Registration date : 2009-01-13
Re: The Poets Corner
by BiR Sun Feb 08, 2009 3:11 pm
It's "THE TALE OF SOLDIER FEDOT, THE DARING FELLOW" by Leonid Filatov (Leonid Filatov is great Russian actor and poet). If you don't mind, I can post here (or in another thread) a full version in English (translation by Alic Vagapov).HotParadox wrote:BiR, that is so entertaining a tale! Lovely and funny, too. I love that little story and the poem, too.
It's really funny story based on the Russian folklore... 
BiR-
Number of posts : 241
Age : 60
Location : The Dark Side of the Sun, Moscow, Russia.
Job/hobbies : Layout Designer/English and Russian subtitles
Humor : Да/Yes
Registration date : 2009-01-17 -
Re: The Poets Corner
by HotParadox Sun Feb 08, 2009 3:15 pm
That would be wonderful. You can post it here, if you'd like. I look forward to reading it.BiR wrote:It's "THE TALE OF SOLDIER FEDOT, THE DARING FELLOW" by Leonid Filatov (Leonid Filatov is great Russian actor and poet). If you don't mind, I can post here (or in another thread) a full version in English (translation by Alic Vagapov).HotParadox wrote:BiR, that is so entertaining a tale! Lovely and funny, too. I love that little story and the poem, too.
HotParadox-
Number of posts : 4051
Location : Boston
Registration date : 2009-01-13
Re: The Poets Corner
by BiR Sun Feb 08, 2009 3:22 pm
OK. I'll begin from the start. I hope other users will like it too. I think I cannot post it fully today but in this case, I'll post other part tomorrow.HotParadox wrote:That would be wonderful. You can post it here, if you'd like. I look forward to reading it.
BiR-
Number of posts : 241
Age : 60
Location : The Dark Side of the Sun, Moscow, Russia.
Job/hobbies : Layout Designer/English and Russian subtitles
Humor : Да/Yes
Registration date : 2009-01-17 -
Re: The Poets Corner
by BiR Sun Feb 08, 2009 3:26 pm
Leonid Filatov
THE TALE OF
SOLDIER FEDOT, THE DARING FELLOW
A fairy tale for stage performance
(based on the Russian folklore)
Translated by Alec Vagapov.
JOKER
Believe it or not, once there lived soldier Fedot, and this is the tale of the daring fellow. He was neither handsome nor a fright, neither wealthy nor hard up, neither ragged nor dressed up, neither pale nor ruddy-faced, he was so-so, quite commonplace. Fedot's mission was hunting and fishing. The Tsar had fish and game, Fedot had thanks, and that was his gain. The Tsar's palace was crammed with travellers. One was a Greek, another Hawaiian, a third was a Swede, and they all needed a feed! One wanted lobsters, another wanted oysters, a third wanted a prawn while the catcher was only one.
One day Fedot was ordered to come to the court. The Tsar was the shrimp of a man, his head like a little onion, while his malice could fill the whole palace. He looked at Fedot as if to say: «I can't stomach you anyway».
Out of dread Fedot turned wet, his ears started ringing, his guts gave way, and here's the beginning of the tale, so to say.
TSAR
The British envoy has come for
Our refreshment after night before,
While we only have to eat
Stale bread, a bone... and that's it!
You must go and bring some food,
Something special, something good,
Say, a partridge, or a grouse
Or whatever, from the wood.
If you can't do that, my dear,
I shall have to execute you, hear?
It's a matter of importance,
A state affair, is it clear?
FEDOT
Yes, of course, I understand,
I'm wise enough for that,
A stupid bumpkin I'm not,
And I do know what is what.
Well, as far as I can see,
I make all the policy,
If I fail to shoot a grouse,
There will be a war on us.
To content the British guest
I shall do my double best,
Even at the cost of life
I'll procure some food-stuff.
JOKER
The Tsar's word is as firm as wood: if he says: «go bear hunting», you will go bear hunting. What else can you do? You just have to! Fedot had covered the ground of a hundred of woods and bogs around. Alas, there was neither a partridge nor a grouse! He was all in, dog-tired, and it was almost night. He had nothing in the bag, yet it was time to go back. Suddenly, as if in a vision, he saw a bird, a little wood-pigeon. It didn't try to hide showing no sign of fright.
FEDOT
What affliction! What a shame!
There isn't any trace of game.
Pr’haps that’s the bird I have to shoot,
It's at least some kind of food!
They say pigeon meat is bad,
I should not agree with that,
When you have it with a sauce
It's like a grouse, or not worse.
PIGEON
Please, don't hurt me, dear Fedot,
It's quite worthless, is it not?
Just one bird is not enough
For a dish or pillow stuff.
Your foreigner might like to eat
Some kind of very special meat,
Whereas my meat's just enough
To make a wild cat laugh.
FEDOT
Is the goblin somewhere here?
Are these tricks of the evening air?
Is there anything the matter
With my eyes or with my ear?
Has the Tsar decreed
That pigeons
Should now speak
Like human beings?
PIGEON
Don't do wrong to me, Fedot,
Take me home, and you know what:
When you bring me to your chamber
I shall be your destined lot!
I shall sew and wash and cook,
Never give you a rebuke,
I shall keep the house clean,
And I'll play the violin!
FEDOT
What a story, what a gag!
All right, get into my bag,
When we get home I'll find out
What this trick is all about!
THE TALE OF
SOLDIER FEDOT, THE DARING FELLOW
A fairy tale for stage performance
(based on the Russian folklore)
Translated by Alec Vagapov.
JOKER
Believe it or not, once there lived soldier Fedot, and this is the tale of the daring fellow. He was neither handsome nor a fright, neither wealthy nor hard up, neither ragged nor dressed up, neither pale nor ruddy-faced, he was so-so, quite commonplace. Fedot's mission was hunting and fishing. The Tsar had fish and game, Fedot had thanks, and that was his gain. The Tsar's palace was crammed with travellers. One was a Greek, another Hawaiian, a third was a Swede, and they all needed a feed! One wanted lobsters, another wanted oysters, a third wanted a prawn while the catcher was only one.
One day Fedot was ordered to come to the court. The Tsar was the shrimp of a man, his head like a little onion, while his malice could fill the whole palace. He looked at Fedot as if to say: «I can't stomach you anyway».
Out of dread Fedot turned wet, his ears started ringing, his guts gave way, and here's the beginning of the tale, so to say.
TSAR
The British envoy has come for
Our refreshment after night before,
While we only have to eat
Stale bread, a bone... and that's it!
You must go and bring some food,
Something special, something good,
Say, a partridge, or a grouse
Or whatever, from the wood.
If you can't do that, my dear,
I shall have to execute you, hear?
It's a matter of importance,
A state affair, is it clear?
FEDOT
Yes, of course, I understand,
I'm wise enough for that,
A stupid bumpkin I'm not,
And I do know what is what.
Well, as far as I can see,
I make all the policy,
If I fail to shoot a grouse,
There will be a war on us.
To content the British guest
I shall do my double best,
Even at the cost of life
I'll procure some food-stuff.
JOKER
The Tsar's word is as firm as wood: if he says: «go bear hunting», you will go bear hunting. What else can you do? You just have to! Fedot had covered the ground of a hundred of woods and bogs around. Alas, there was neither a partridge nor a grouse! He was all in, dog-tired, and it was almost night. He had nothing in the bag, yet it was time to go back. Suddenly, as if in a vision, he saw a bird, a little wood-pigeon. It didn't try to hide showing no sign of fright.
FEDOT
What affliction! What a shame!
There isn't any trace of game.
Pr’haps that’s the bird I have to shoot,
It's at least some kind of food!
They say pigeon meat is bad,
I should not agree with that,
When you have it with a sauce
It's like a grouse, or not worse.
PIGEON
Please, don't hurt me, dear Fedot,
It's quite worthless, is it not?
Just one bird is not enough
For a dish or pillow stuff.
Your foreigner might like to eat
Some kind of very special meat,
Whereas my meat's just enough
To make a wild cat laugh.
FEDOT
Is the goblin somewhere here?
Are these tricks of the evening air?
Is there anything the matter
With my eyes or with my ear?
Has the Tsar decreed
That pigeons
Should now speak
Like human beings?
PIGEON
Don't do wrong to me, Fedot,
Take me home, and you know what:
When you bring me to your chamber
I shall be your destined lot!
I shall sew and wash and cook,
Never give you a rebuke,
I shall keep the house clean,
And I'll play the violin!
FEDOT
What a story, what a gag!
All right, get into my bag,
When we get home I'll find out
What this trick is all about!
Last edited by BiR on Sun Feb 08, 2009 3:32 pm; edited 1 time in total
BiR-
Number of posts : 241
Age : 60
Location : The Dark Side of the Sun, Moscow, Russia.
Job/hobbies : Layout Designer/English and Russian subtitles
Humor : Да/Yes
Registration date : 2009-01-17 -
Re: The Poets Corner
by BiR Sun Feb 08, 2009 3:32 pm
JOKER
Fedot brought the bird to his room and sat there hanging his head, filled with gloom. He was really sad, and there was a reason for that. His game hunt hadn't come off, and it was no joke — the Tsar would chop off his head right off. So he sat in grief taking his leave with the whole wide world. He remembered the vision of the little wood-pigeon. He looked up and, instead of the bird, he saw a young woman in the middle of the room, a maid full of splendour, so gracious, so slender!
MARUSYA
Hello, Fedya, from now on
You and I will get along,
I'm Marusya, your good wife,
Or should I say, your better half.
Why are you silent? Have you got
A bone or something in your throat?
Maybe, you don't like my head-dress,
Or, maybe, you dislike my coat?
FEDOT
There is nothing I won't do
To admire you and be with you,
But I don't think that I can
Marry you and be your man.
See, this morning I was called
To the Tsar, and I was told
To get, you know' a sort of a grouse
'nd bring it to the Royal house.
Though it's not a hunting season
With the Tsar it's hard to reason,
Then I thought, all right, a grouse
Is not a bison, so it's easy.
I have tramped the woods all day
But was out of luck today:
There was not a single game bird,
Nothing good came in my way.
So there isn't any chance
That I go out for a dance,
When I see the Tsar tomorrow
He'll chop of»my head at once.
Without my head... , well, I don't think
That I'm good for anything,
For it's my mind that makes the meaning
And the essence of my being!
MARUSYA
Now, don't worry, don't complain!
You will have the meals and game.
Stand before me, Frol and Tit,
Get immediately what we need!
(Marusya claps her hands, and two burly fellows appear in front of her.)
Do you hear what I say?
Go and do it without delay.
FELLOWS
You don't have to doubt us,
We have done it many times!
JOKER
Meanwhile the Tsar and the envoy are sitting at the table. Look who's there to join them! Yes! It's the Nursemaid and the princess! All are waiting for the game Fedot promised to obtain. Now the table is empty — no meal. There are cabbages and dill, parsley, carrots, roots of beet, and that's all there's to it.
The guest looks bored; he sits dangling his foot and watching the holes on the table cloth. The Tsar is boiling hot, swearing and cursing soldier Fedot. Suddenly, — oh my! — as if from the sky, there come a loaf of bread and an apple pie, a bucket of caviar, stewed turkey, giblets, sturgeon soup, fishes and a thousand more of such-like dishes. With dainty like that, isn't it nice to have a chat?
TSAR
I am interested in
Your technology of seedin':
Do your farmers skin the swedes
When they plant them in the fields?
ENVOY
Yes.
TSAR
I'm interested in
Your daily eating routine:
Do your people have their cocoa
With or without saccharine?
ENVOY
Yes!
TSAR
Then there's another thing
That I'm interested in:
Do your women wear knickers,
Something underneath, I mean?
ENVOY
Yes!
NURSEMAID
Are you crazy? Shame on you!
Think whom you are talking to!
Women is the subject you
Turn all conversations to!
TSAR
Will you shut up, be so kind.
If you don't, I'll jail you, mind!
It's not an idle talk, you see?
It's my foreign policy!
Look, she's quite a big lass
But she is as thin as a lath!
So I'm thinking, if we can
Marry her to this here man.
To entice him we must act
Very cautiously, with tact,
Talking round, making hints,
Trying not to hurt his feelings.
NURSEMAID
Not even I — not for your life! —
Would really want to be his wife,
All he has in mind is try
And swallow something on the sly!
"Yes" is all he is repeating,
While he never ceases eating,
Close your eyes, and he'll devour
Half of Russia, at one sitting!
Fedot brought the bird to his room and sat there hanging his head, filled with gloom. He was really sad, and there was a reason for that. His game hunt hadn't come off, and it was no joke — the Tsar would chop off his head right off. So he sat in grief taking his leave with the whole wide world. He remembered the vision of the little wood-pigeon. He looked up and, instead of the bird, he saw a young woman in the middle of the room, a maid full of splendour, so gracious, so slender!
MARUSYA
Hello, Fedya, from now on
You and I will get along,
I'm Marusya, your good wife,
Or should I say, your better half.
Why are you silent? Have you got
A bone or something in your throat?
Maybe, you don't like my head-dress,
Or, maybe, you dislike my coat?
FEDOT
There is nothing I won't do
To admire you and be with you,
But I don't think that I can
Marry you and be your man.
See, this morning I was called
To the Tsar, and I was told
To get, you know' a sort of a grouse
'nd bring it to the Royal house.
Though it's not a hunting season
With the Tsar it's hard to reason,
Then I thought, all right, a grouse
Is not a bison, so it's easy.
I have tramped the woods all day
But was out of luck today:
There was not a single game bird,
Nothing good came in my way.
So there isn't any chance
That I go out for a dance,
When I see the Tsar tomorrow
He'll chop of»my head at once.
Without my head... , well, I don't think
That I'm good for anything,
For it's my mind that makes the meaning
And the essence of my being!
MARUSYA
Now, don't worry, don't complain!
You will have the meals and game.
Stand before me, Frol and Tit,
Get immediately what we need!
(Marusya claps her hands, and two burly fellows appear in front of her.)
Do you hear what I say?
Go and do it without delay.
FELLOWS
You don't have to doubt us,
We have done it many times!
JOKER
Meanwhile the Tsar and the envoy are sitting at the table. Look who's there to join them! Yes! It's the Nursemaid and the princess! All are waiting for the game Fedot promised to obtain. Now the table is empty — no meal. There are cabbages and dill, parsley, carrots, roots of beet, and that's all there's to it.
The guest looks bored; he sits dangling his foot and watching the holes on the table cloth. The Tsar is boiling hot, swearing and cursing soldier Fedot. Suddenly, — oh my! — as if from the sky, there come a loaf of bread and an apple pie, a bucket of caviar, stewed turkey, giblets, sturgeon soup, fishes and a thousand more of such-like dishes. With dainty like that, isn't it nice to have a chat?
TSAR
I am interested in
Your technology of seedin':
Do your farmers skin the swedes
When they plant them in the fields?
ENVOY
Yes.
TSAR
I'm interested in
Your daily eating routine:
Do your people have their cocoa
With or without saccharine?
ENVOY
Yes!
TSAR
Then there's another thing
That I'm interested in:
Do your women wear knickers,
Something underneath, I mean?
ENVOY
Yes!
NURSEMAID
Are you crazy? Shame on you!
Think whom you are talking to!
Women is the subject you
Turn all conversations to!
TSAR
Will you shut up, be so kind.
If you don't, I'll jail you, mind!
It's not an idle talk, you see?
It's my foreign policy!
Look, she's quite a big lass
But she is as thin as a lath!
So I'm thinking, if we can
Marry her to this here man.
To entice him we must act
Very cautiously, with tact,
Talking round, making hints,
Trying not to hurt his feelings.
NURSEMAID
Not even I — not for your life! —
Would really want to be his wife,
All he has in mind is try
And swallow something on the sly!
"Yes" is all he is repeating,
While he never ceases eating,
Close your eyes, and he'll devour
Half of Russia, at one sitting!
BiR-
Number of posts : 241
Age : 60
Location : The Dark Side of the Sun, Moscow, Russia.
Job/hobbies : Layout Designer/English and Russian subtitles
Humor : Да/Yes
Registration date : 2009-01-17 -
Re: The Poets Corner
by BiR Sun Feb 08, 2009 3:39 pm
TSAR
Keep your mouth shut, my dear,
Or I'll kick you out of here.
You have scared all the envoys,
All the aliens, as it were.
There was a Spanish grandee,
He was a fop! A real dandy!
Bedecked with diamonds, he made
A perfect party for our maid.
What you did you sat our friend
Down on a nail, "by accident".
Consequently the guest has
A strong bias against us.
NURSEMAID
I remember that Spaniard,
I recall he ate like mad,
He was so absorbed in eating
That he smudged his bow in fat.
No matter what you asked him he
Would keep parroting: "si, si"
While he would indulge in eating
Our herring ivashi!
TSAR
Stop it now! Or you'll wind up
Rotting in a prison camp!
I'm quite serious!.. Don't think
That I 'm talking tongue in cheek.
The German baron that we knew
Was good from every point of view.
Yet you did your best to hurt him
And offend him, didn't you?
Wasn't it you who worked him up,
By putting a mouse in his cup?
You are a wicked, vicious woman,
A god damn treacherous thing, a vermin!
NURSEMAID
Well, your baron was quite good,
Good at eating our food,
Put him in a flock of ravens,
He will fight them like a brute!
Looking proud, talking big,
He's voracious like a pig.
He would even gobble hay
If he didn't have to pay!
TSAR
You just wait, there's every reason
To deliver you to prison.
I'm not cruel, but I've no use
For you spies and evil doers!
Tell me, are there any ways
of marrying of our princess?
Don't you know, there aren't many
Eligible men among her friends ?
If there were a legion around,
You could argue, there’s no doubt,
But there isn't, so we have to
Pick what there's to be found.
PRINCESS
You're Russian Tsar, it'll be fair
If you mind your own affair,
How I live and whom I love
Are the matters of my care.
The house swarms with attaches,
There's a lot of them upstairs,
I can't bear any longer
The smell of their after-shaves.
TSAR
Love is blind... If that is true,
You will love the envoy, too.
And along with that you'll set
My worsened foreign trade straight!
It will do to our good,
I shall sell of»hemp and wood.
All the public give consent,
You're the only one who wouldn't!
PRINCESS
You may frown and complain,
Yet I'll say it to you again,
As an individual I have
Rights for free marriage and free love.
Maybe, I would give consent
And get married in the end,
If it were Fedot the soldier
Who would offer me his hand.
TSAR
Silly girl, you hold your tongue!
Don't you know where you belong?
Go and lock up in your room,
Learn your sol-fa, get along!
As for scoundrel Fedot,
The vicious rogue, I'll tell you what:
I shall whip him, drive him out
of the palace with a rod.
Keep your mouth shut, my dear,
Or I'll kick you out of here.
You have scared all the envoys,
All the aliens, as it were.
There was a Spanish grandee,
He was a fop! A real dandy!
Bedecked with diamonds, he made
A perfect party for our maid.
What you did you sat our friend
Down on a nail, "by accident".
Consequently the guest has
A strong bias against us.
NURSEMAID
I remember that Spaniard,
I recall he ate like mad,
He was so absorbed in eating
That he smudged his bow in fat.
No matter what you asked him he
Would keep parroting: "si, si"
While he would indulge in eating
Our herring ivashi!
TSAR
Stop it now! Or you'll wind up
Rotting in a prison camp!
I'm quite serious!.. Don't think
That I 'm talking tongue in cheek.
The German baron that we knew
Was good from every point of view.
Yet you did your best to hurt him
And offend him, didn't you?
Wasn't it you who worked him up,
By putting a mouse in his cup?
You are a wicked, vicious woman,
A god damn treacherous thing, a vermin!
NURSEMAID
Well, your baron was quite good,
Good at eating our food,
Put him in a flock of ravens,
He will fight them like a brute!
Looking proud, talking big,
He's voracious like a pig.
He would even gobble hay
If he didn't have to pay!
TSAR
You just wait, there's every reason
To deliver you to prison.
I'm not cruel, but I've no use
For you spies and evil doers!
Tell me, are there any ways
of marrying of our princess?
Don't you know, there aren't many
Eligible men among her friends ?
If there were a legion around,
You could argue, there’s no doubt,
But there isn't, so we have to
Pick what there's to be found.
PRINCESS
You're Russian Tsar, it'll be fair
If you mind your own affair,
How I live and whom I love
Are the matters of my care.
The house swarms with attaches,
There's a lot of them upstairs,
I can't bear any longer
The smell of their after-shaves.
TSAR
Love is blind... If that is true,
You will love the envoy, too.
And along with that you'll set
My worsened foreign trade straight!
It will do to our good,
I shall sell of»hemp and wood.
All the public give consent,
You're the only one who wouldn't!
PRINCESS
You may frown and complain,
Yet I'll say it to you again,
As an individual I have
Rights for free marriage and free love.
Maybe, I would give consent
And get married in the end,
If it were Fedot the soldier
Who would offer me his hand.
TSAR
Silly girl, you hold your tongue!
Don't you know where you belong?
Go and lock up in your room,
Learn your sol-fa, get along!
As for scoundrel Fedot,
The vicious rogue, I'll tell you what:
I shall whip him, drive him out
of the palace with a rod.
BiR-
Number of posts : 241
Age : 60
Location : The Dark Side of the Sun, Moscow, Russia.
Job/hobbies : Layout Designer/English and Russian subtitles
Humor : Да/Yes
Registration date : 2009-01-17 -
Re: The Poets Corner
by BiR Sun Feb 08, 2009 3:44 pm
JOKER
The Tsar had a General whose occupation was gathering information. Like a hunting hound, he would sniff around in search of a suspect in a city crowd. He would put down all he heard in town; and then, at exactly seven, he would come to the court to give his report.
TSAR
General, you're feeling blue.
Is it quinsy or the flu?
Or you've drunk too much of beer,
Or you've lost at cards, have you?
Or your army is too small,
Or you do not want to serve at all,
Or you've found some defects
In a cannon tube or cannon ball?
Tell me openly, don't lie,
What is it that makes you sigh?
I should like to know in detail
When and where and what and why!
GENERAL
Well, I went to see Fedot
The other day, and you know what:
When I saw his charming wife
I fell down on the spot.
It's two days, upon my word,
That I haven't touched the sword,
There's nothing left for me but sigh,
I'm afraid, I'm going to die.
Yesterday, I will confess,
I made a sin: I wrote a verse,
The doc is scared for my brains,
It's a shock of love, he claims.
TSAR
The soldier must be gotten rid of.
Didn't he know that I'm a widow?
I'll remind you of your duty:
Go and bring me now that beauty!
As for this insidious man
Wipe him out, if you can,
Grind him out so that he
Mightn't hang around here!
GENERAL
To kidnap her I've got wits,
But think of people in the streets,
When they learn it's your idea
They will tear you to bits.
People are quite bold today,
They will show their teeth, won't they?
You and I dislike the soldier
But they're all the other way!
TSAR
Are you such a fool all days
Or is it just on Saturdays?
Must I tell my minister
Everything in every case?
To prevent the vicious tongues
You must act on legal grounds,
Or, in other words, just try
And do it... on the sly!
I for one give you my word:
You will have a good reward,
Our smiths have been assigned ,
To forge medal for you, mind!
JOKER
Almost two days the General racked his brains brooding over the plan how to get rid of the soldier-man. But his brain had cracked under strain. He thought again and again but all was in vain. Then, on loose end, he remembered his old friend, Yaga the Bony Leg whom he could beg. «Gotta get 'er, she knows better». She was in the forest gathering herbs, making poisons. When she saw the friend of hers she lost all her plants and herbs. She felt lonely indeed in the wood without her kindred!..
OLD WITCH
You are not yourself today,
Looking pale, struck with dismay.
Are the Turks approaching Moscow,
Or the Swedes stand in your way?
Have this aspen bark, a bit,
It will do you good indeed,
After all, it isn't nitric,
It's a gift of nature, isn't it?
The aspen juice, my General,
Has got a healthy mineral,
No General has died from it,
Just have a taste, and you'll be fit.
GENERAL
Lay off, woman, I'm not ill,
Let us step across the hill,
Scare away those hedgehogs, squirrels,
I must talk to you, it's serious!
There's a soldier, Fedot by name,
He thinks he's got too much brain,
I was told the other day
To put him out of the way.
How? By cutting of his head?
There'll be a noise, I'm afraid.
Can you give me your advice
As to how to make him dead?
OLD WITCH
Magic, magic, you know what,
Three are here, yours are not,
Ace of diamonds, oaken coffin,
Tell me all about Fedot...
Well, if he's so prompt and smart
As to dare disregard
Our sovereign, let him get,
By tomorrow, a golden carpet.
It has got to have a grand
Map-like view of the whole land.
If he doesn't make so bold,
It will be his own fault.
GENERAL
What a woman! What a skill!
That's the end of my ordeal!
You could be a politician
And hold a minister's position!
With the foes we must take care,
There's always trouble in the air,
I would join you on a mission,
Take you with me anywhere.
I can pay you back, I think,
Marten, beaver — anything!
If you want, I'll give you coins,
Gold or silver — it's your choice.
OLD WITCH
Keep us without sin this day,
Better put your coins away,
I'm not doing it for money,
I enjoy it, so why pay?
Should you have some trouble again,
Come, don't treat me with disdain,
After all, I'm not a beast,
I will always soothe your pain.
The Tsar had a General whose occupation was gathering information. Like a hunting hound, he would sniff around in search of a suspect in a city crowd. He would put down all he heard in town; and then, at exactly seven, he would come to the court to give his report.
TSAR
General, you're feeling blue.
Is it quinsy or the flu?
Or you've drunk too much of beer,
Or you've lost at cards, have you?
Or your army is too small,
Or you do not want to serve at all,
Or you've found some defects
In a cannon tube or cannon ball?
Tell me openly, don't lie,
What is it that makes you sigh?
I should like to know in detail
When and where and what and why!
GENERAL
Well, I went to see Fedot
The other day, and you know what:
When I saw his charming wife
I fell down on the spot.
It's two days, upon my word,
That I haven't touched the sword,
There's nothing left for me but sigh,
I'm afraid, I'm going to die.
Yesterday, I will confess,
I made a sin: I wrote a verse,
The doc is scared for my brains,
It's a shock of love, he claims.
TSAR
The soldier must be gotten rid of.
Didn't he know that I'm a widow?
I'll remind you of your duty:
Go and bring me now that beauty!
As for this insidious man
Wipe him out, if you can,
Grind him out so that he
Mightn't hang around here!
GENERAL
To kidnap her I've got wits,
But think of people in the streets,
When they learn it's your idea
They will tear you to bits.
People are quite bold today,
They will show their teeth, won't they?
You and I dislike the soldier
But they're all the other way!
TSAR
Are you such a fool all days
Or is it just on Saturdays?
Must I tell my minister
Everything in every case?
To prevent the vicious tongues
You must act on legal grounds,
Or, in other words, just try
And do it... on the sly!
I for one give you my word:
You will have a good reward,
Our smiths have been assigned ,
To forge medal for you, mind!
JOKER
Almost two days the General racked his brains brooding over the plan how to get rid of the soldier-man. But his brain had cracked under strain. He thought again and again but all was in vain. Then, on loose end, he remembered his old friend, Yaga the Bony Leg whom he could beg. «Gotta get 'er, she knows better». She was in the forest gathering herbs, making poisons. When she saw the friend of hers she lost all her plants and herbs. She felt lonely indeed in the wood without her kindred!..
OLD WITCH
You are not yourself today,
Looking pale, struck with dismay.
Are the Turks approaching Moscow,
Or the Swedes stand in your way?
Have this aspen bark, a bit,
It will do you good indeed,
After all, it isn't nitric,
It's a gift of nature, isn't it?
The aspen juice, my General,
Has got a healthy mineral,
No General has died from it,
Just have a taste, and you'll be fit.
GENERAL
Lay off, woman, I'm not ill,
Let us step across the hill,
Scare away those hedgehogs, squirrels,
I must talk to you, it's serious!
There's a soldier, Fedot by name,
He thinks he's got too much brain,
I was told the other day
To put him out of the way.
How? By cutting of his head?
There'll be a noise, I'm afraid.
Can you give me your advice
As to how to make him dead?
OLD WITCH
Magic, magic, you know what,
Three are here, yours are not,
Ace of diamonds, oaken coffin,
Tell me all about Fedot...
Well, if he's so prompt and smart
As to dare disregard
Our sovereign, let him get,
By tomorrow, a golden carpet.
It has got to have a grand
Map-like view of the whole land.
If he doesn't make so bold,
It will be his own fault.
GENERAL
What a woman! What a skill!
That's the end of my ordeal!
You could be a politician
And hold a minister's position!
With the foes we must take care,
There's always trouble in the air,
I would join you on a mission,
Take you with me anywhere.
I can pay you back, I think,
Marten, beaver — anything!
If you want, I'll give you coins,
Gold or silver — it's your choice.
OLD WITCH
Keep us without sin this day,
Better put your coins away,
I'm not doing it for money,
I enjoy it, so why pay?
Should you have some trouble again,
Come, don't treat me with disdain,
After all, I'm not a beast,
I will always soothe your pain.
BiR-
Number of posts : 241
Age : 60
Location : The Dark Side of the Sun, Moscow, Russia.
Job/hobbies : Layout Designer/English and Russian subtitles
Humor : Да/Yes
Registration date : 2009-01-17 -
Re: The Poets Corner
by BiR Sun Feb 08, 2009 3:50 pm
JOKER
Soldier Fedot is summoned to the court. The Tsar is as cross as two sticks, even before he speaks. He moves around, stamping the ground, rolling his eyes, in short, he tries to assume the air of threatening terror.
TSAR
By tomorrow you must get
A carpet of a spun-gold thread,
Try and do it for all you're worth,
It's a state affair, don't forget!
It has got to have a grand
Map-like view of the whole land.
'cause from my balcony I see
Nothing. Do you understand?
If you don't fulfil the task
And don't do as you are asked,
I shall have to hand you in
To the butcher in the mornin'!
JOKER
Fedot went home numbed with gloom. He sat down in the corner of the room, staring at the ceiling, his eyes tearing. Marusya offered him a snack but he put up his back; he wished nothing, just sat frowning and sobbing, looking black.
MARUSYA
Tell me, why are you so angry?
Why don't you eat, you must be hungry.
Is the porridge overdone?
Or the meat is underdone?
FEDOT
Dash it! I don't feel like eating,
The Tsar's ferocity is killing!
The villain knows no justice, heck!
There's no keeping him in check!
He has ordered me to get
A carpet with an ornament
Which must be as big as Russia
With the lakes and woods on it!
MARUSYA
Don't you worry, don't you sob!
Never mind the crazy snob!
Stand before me, Frol and Tit,
Get immediately what we need!
(Marusya claps her hands, and two burly fellows appear in front of her.)
Do you hear what I say?
Go and do it without delay!
FELLOWS
You don't have to doubt us,
We have done it many times!
JOKER
The next morning Fedot arrived at the court to show the Tsar the carpet he'd got. Out of surprise the Tsar choked with caviar. He was cross but he didn't want to show that he was. He pretended that he was as glad as could be!
FEDOT
I was told to get a carpet,
As you see, I've really got it,
Both the pattern and the colour
Are exactly as you wanted!
The whole of Russia is depicted
On the carpet. You may keep it.
It's my spouse's gift, brand new,
She has woven it for you!
TSAR
You're a dodger through and through!
How m'ny maids are you married to?
You cannot be engaged to
An entire weaving mill, can you?
I know you have a wife, Fedot,
She's the only one you've got,
And to weave a thing like this
One has got to have a lot!
FEDOT
Is the carpet not so fine?
Or you don't like the design?
Then I'll put it on my shoulder,
That's the end, I draw the line!
Lest my efforts be in vain
I shall sell it to trades men,
And I do not care a damn
If it flows to Amsterdam!
TSAR
I would be so glad to slash
You with a whip or with a lash,
So that you might never again
Play your jokes on serious men!
However, as a man I'm quiet,
And I'm fair, I'll give you right:
Here's a coin for you, buy vodka.
Now get out of my sight!
Soldier Fedot is summoned to the court. The Tsar is as cross as two sticks, even before he speaks. He moves around, stamping the ground, rolling his eyes, in short, he tries to assume the air of threatening terror.
TSAR
By tomorrow you must get
A carpet of a spun-gold thread,
Try and do it for all you're worth,
It's a state affair, don't forget!
It has got to have a grand
Map-like view of the whole land.
'cause from my balcony I see
Nothing. Do you understand?
If you don't fulfil the task
And don't do as you are asked,
I shall have to hand you in
To the butcher in the mornin'!
JOKER
Fedot went home numbed with gloom. He sat down in the corner of the room, staring at the ceiling, his eyes tearing. Marusya offered him a snack but he put up his back; he wished nothing, just sat frowning and sobbing, looking black.
MARUSYA
Tell me, why are you so angry?
Why don't you eat, you must be hungry.
Is the porridge overdone?
Or the meat is underdone?
FEDOT
Dash it! I don't feel like eating,
The Tsar's ferocity is killing!
The villain knows no justice, heck!
There's no keeping him in check!
He has ordered me to get
A carpet with an ornament
Which must be as big as Russia
With the lakes and woods on it!
MARUSYA
Don't you worry, don't you sob!
Never mind the crazy snob!
Stand before me, Frol and Tit,
Get immediately what we need!
(Marusya claps her hands, and two burly fellows appear in front of her.)
Do you hear what I say?
Go and do it without delay!
FELLOWS
You don't have to doubt us,
We have done it many times!
JOKER
The next morning Fedot arrived at the court to show the Tsar the carpet he'd got. Out of surprise the Tsar choked with caviar. He was cross but he didn't want to show that he was. He pretended that he was as glad as could be!
FEDOT
I was told to get a carpet,
As you see, I've really got it,
Both the pattern and the colour
Are exactly as you wanted!
The whole of Russia is depicted
On the carpet. You may keep it.
It's my spouse's gift, brand new,
She has woven it for you!
TSAR
You're a dodger through and through!
How m'ny maids are you married to?
You cannot be engaged to
An entire weaving mill, can you?
I know you have a wife, Fedot,
She's the only one you've got,
And to weave a thing like this
One has got to have a lot!
FEDOT
Is the carpet not so fine?
Or you don't like the design?
Then I'll put it on my shoulder,
That's the end, I draw the line!
Lest my efforts be in vain
I shall sell it to trades men,
And I do not care a damn
If it flows to Amsterdam!
TSAR
I would be so glad to slash
You with a whip or with a lash,
So that you might never again
Play your jokes on serious men!
However, as a man I'm quiet,
And I'm fair, I'll give you right:
Here's a coin for you, buy vodka.
Now get out of my sight!
BiR-
Number of posts : 241
Age : 60
Location : The Dark Side of the Sun, Moscow, Russia.
Job/hobbies : Layout Designer/English and Russian subtitles
Humor : Да/Yes
Registration date : 2009-01-17 -
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