Winter Night Poem by Boris Pasternak

Winter Night

Rating: 3.5


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.

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Bharati Nayak 01 June 2015

The poem vividly describes the formation of shadows around a lone candle in a snowy winter..It seems to describe the emotions crossing the mind in lonely night of winter Difficult to fathom its inner meaning.But the poem is absolutely beautiful with lines that say- - - - Two tiny shoes fell to the floor And thudded A candle on a night stand shed wax tears upon a dress

5 10 Reply
Dutendra Chamling 30 October 2015

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.

3 12 Reply
Ravi A 29 July 2009

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.

5 10 Reply
Rajnish Manga 11 January 2015

The poem brings alive the scenes of excessive snowfall in one of the coldest countries of the world. The fury as well as the beauty of the experience is unique.

4 10 Reply
Andrew Vylinsky 25 September 2007

Nice translation of a really brilliant poem.

4 9 Reply
LikaU 14 January 2020

Into the blizzard’s snowy dance The world was swept A candle flickered on the table Its wax has wept… Like summer moths eclipse a flame to die in vain The snowflakes swarm toward the window pane The blizzard cut on the frozen glass Like a sculptor’s hand A candle flickered on the table Its wax has wept…

4 1 Reply
Angela 14 January 2020

A bit heavy-handed translation. The poem is Russian feels more etherial (Russian is my native language)

3 1 Reply
Chinedu Dike 30 August 2019

Well expressed thoughts and feelings. An insight work of art........................................................

1 1 Reply
PermLara 20 July 2019

Then sound of the falling shoes To floor. Armchair, Abandoned dress. Teardrops of wax From candle there. All lost in mist so gray and tight And hoary white. The table, the candle, the swaying light. The candlelight. The flame just swayed with the draft. The ardent fire Swung couple of wings in angel form aglow higher. The whole month the weather was This endless white. The table, the candle, the swaying light. The candlelight.

3 1 Reply
PermLara 20 July 2019

Across the earth the blizzard was, Snow sprawling wide. The table, the candle, the swaying light. The candlelight. Alike in summer swarm of flies To deadly flame Aspired, rushed the flakes of snow To window frame. Illuminated ceiling glossed. The shadows crossed. The overlap of arms and legs, Of fate perplex.

3 1 Reply
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