Issue 33 | Fall 2025

Let’s Sit on the Bench and Chat

Tatyana Bek
Translated by Bita Takrimi

Let’s sit on the bench and chat a bit,

Smile, and let our heads nod like birds.

“I don’t think you should cry,”

You’ll say,

“Or let the cold numb your heart.”

No wild beginnings will return—

No drunken whirl, no reckless rush.

I’ve always answered for myself,

And I’ve never lied to anyone.

But souls, you see,

They’re built this way:

They burn brightly,

Until they don’t.

So, we’ll cry,

If that’s what it takes—

A farewell for the last time.

And with a bouquet of crimson viburnum,

I will leave—

No longer young,

But whole.

About the Author

Tatyana Bek (1949–2005) was a Russian poet, literary critic, and essayist known for her sharp intellect, lyrical precision, and deep engagement with the moral and philosophical questions of her time. Her work appeared widely in Russian literary journals and remains admired for its introspective tone and clarity of language.

About the Translator

Bita Takrimi is a literary translator, poet, and scholar. Her work focuses on carrying across the emotional depth, rhythm, and texture of the original language while crafting English versions that resonate as poems in their own right. She is passionate about building bridges between cultures through language and the transformative power of poetry.