Selected Poems [antikvár]

A FEW LINES ABOUT MY ROOTS* I imagine there is hardly a man living on earth who has not had the experience of flying in his dreams. I have had that experience many times, and during my prolonged flights felt omnipotent. I had only to spread out my arms—and there I was, airborne, soaring over roofs, forests and mountains. I had to wish to see if my wish came true at once: happiness and prosperity were granted to the people and I became beloved by everybody for my power and my benevolence. It was of course in dreams that the best books were written, books capable of influencing the destinies of mankind. It is wonderful to be powerful and kind, to be omnipotent. They say that as one grows old, one no longer has dreams of flying. I hope to God I never live to that bleak age. I still go flying in my dreams, although I shall be *Written for the journal Soviet Literature published in foreign languages, No 5, 1963. 12