Farewell, My Dear Friend, Farewell*

   by Sergei Esenin (1895-1925)

Farewell, my dear friend, farewell,
Within my heart you’ll stay,
And as we part, I can foretell
That we shall meet some day.

Without a hand or a word, good-bye,
Don’t mourn for me or grieve--
For it’s not new for us to die,
Not newer still, to live.

                           --translated by Alexander Shaumyan

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*NOTE: This poem is said to have been written by Esenin in his own blood on the night of his suicide.