PoemHunter.com   
Winter Night by Boris Pasternak   
Participate in our survey Search:
Search Poems, Poets, Quotations and Lyrics   
Home Poets Poems Lyrics Quotations Music Forum Member Area Poetry E-Books
 
Boris Pasternak
#163
on top 500 Poets
Boris Pasternak
(10 February 1890 – 30 May 1960 / Moscow)
3 poems of Boris Pasternak
click to download
Poet's Page  Biography  Poems  Quotations  Comments   Stats  
 
<< prev. poem Poems by Boris Pasternak : 119 / 122 next poem >>
  
  Winter Night


# 417
on top 500 Poems

User Rating:

6.6 /10
(51 votes)



  It snowed and snowed ,the whole world over,
Snow swept the world from end to end.
A candle burned on the table;
A candle burned.

As during summer midges swarm
To beat their wings against a flame
Out in the yard the snowflakes swarmed
To beat against the window pane

The blizzard sculptured on the glass
Designs of arrows and of whorls.
A candle burned on the table;
A candle burned.

Distorted shadows fell
Upon the lighted ceiling:
Shadows of crossed arms,of crossed legs-
Of crossed destiny.

Two tiny shoes fell to the floor
And thudded.
A candle on a nightstand shed wax tears
Upon a dress.

All things vanished within
The snowy murk-white,hoary.
A candle burned on the table;
A candle burned.

A corner draft fluttered the flame
And the white fever of temptation
Upswept its angel wings that cast
A cruciform shadow

It snowed hard throughout the month
Of February, and almost constantly
A candle burned on the table;
A candle burned.


Boris Pasternak

Submitted Date Friday, January 03, 2003



Read poems about / on: destiny, angel, snow, summer, winter, world, night

<< prev. poem Poems by Boris Pasternak : 119 / 122 next poem >>
 
  Comments about this poem (Winter Night by Boris Pasternak )
Ravi A (7/29/2009 1:06:00 PM)
0 person liked.
0 person did not like.
I am very familiar with the snow and winter of Russia through many readings. By this poem, Pasternak has once again brought those scenes very much alive to the surface of my mind. 'A candle burned on the table; A candle burned.'. That candle is the sole witness. The effect of these lines is simply amazing. I am simply being carried away to a remote Russian village on a wintry night! May god bless the poet.
Greenwolfe 1962 (12/9/2008 4:46:00 AM)
0 person liked.
0 person did not like.
The makers of the movie Dr. Zhivago must have been familiar with this poem. I
can recall many scenes in the movie that are depicted here in this poem. Indeed,
an inspiring poem.

GW62
Andrew Vylinsky (9/25/2007 2:31:00 PM)
0 person liked.
0 person did not like.
Nice translation of a really brilliant poem.
Hem Raj Bastola (5/8/2005 4:38:00 AM)
0 person liked.
0 person did not like.
It's a nice poem about the event of nature what is happening he seems describing the movement of candle and the tears of wax reveals that ther's wind also which is wiping out that candle. some what the poem is similar to the wind of ted hughes. the nature is fine and very soothing but the same nature some time becomes such violent and ther's no one is able to knead the nature for thsir benefit what we only can do is we can surrender in front of it. this is what teh pasternak knows I think. there'; s nio way except to surrender with almighty wuper power of nature.

hem
Required Griffin (2/24/2005 5:56:00 AM)
0 person liked.
0 person did not like.
a great great poem.

Read all 5 comments >>
 
PoemHunter.com Updates

02.10.2012/ Poem of The Day from a Member
'Losing Them' by Amber Muth

The Mystery of Poetry Editing
If one poet edits another, whose work is it?

Ploughshares Emerging Writer's Contest
Deadline: April 2, 2012

02.10.2012/ Modern Poem of The Day
'No Return' by William Matthews

Valentine's Day is coming
a suggestion: share a poem, send an e-card to your loved ones

 
 
  Top 500 Poems

  1. Phenomenal Woman
    Maya Angelou
  2. Still I Rise
    Maya Angelou
  3. If You Forget Me
    Pablo Neruda
  4. Dreams
    Langston Hughes
  5. The Road Not Taken
    Robert Frost
  6. Annabel Lee
    Edgar Allan Poe
  7. I Do Not Love You Except Because I Love You
    Pablo Neruda
  8. If
    Rudyard Kipling
  9. I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings
    Maya Angelou
  10. A Dream Within A Dream
    Edgar Allan Poe
The complete list of Top 500 Poems >>
 
 

(c) Poems are the property of their respective owners. All information has been reproduced here for educational and informational purposes to benefit site visitors, and is provided at no charge..  About Us | Copyright notice | Privacy statement | Help
2/11/2012 9:31:02 PM. #.# You Are Here: Winter Night by Boris Pasternak

Home | Poets | Poems | Free Poetry eBooks | Contests | Sites | Submit a Poem | Manage Your Poems | Game Gar | Oyun | Contact Us

Christmas Poems | Love Poems | Pablo Neruda | Death Poems | Sad Poems | Birthday Poems | Wedding Poems | Nature Poems | Sorry Poems 

[Hata Bildir]