This poem was given to me exactly a year ago (Fall 2006), in Russian. I've never done a translation of creative writing before, but I know that this is part of what I am called to do. This post is my best try so far to get as close to the original as possible, preserving the emotion and the rhythm. A heartfelt thank you to mi profesora for supporting me in this! Praise be to God! I hope He touches someone or somemany!  :)

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Life for Life

 

Who would want to have purchased my life from my hand?

I am eager to know what it costs in the end.

What if You would have paid for whatever in me –

That would make me as happy as I ever could be.

Look inside and reveal whether there’s in my heart

Something You’ve never seen in Your Kingdom afar?

Is there something that you would have really desired?

Something You never had and would want to acquire?

No, I seem without power to interest Your eyes.

What to bring to the King that the King be surprised?

Brisk and short is my life, penny price if not less.

All I guarded with care I’ll no longer possess.

I’m just ash and imprudence and weakness and fear…

But behold, in the clouds new songs one can hear.

That melodious voice does not sound, it breathes.

And my so wretched heartbeat so quickly increases.

“Whose are eyes that I see which are turned to the sky?

Whose are knees that are scratched? Dear child, arise!

You have said that you’re dust? True, but I’m not ashamed

To take into My hands your sad tears and your pain;

I would love with My fingers to run through this sand

Just to touch you and bring to My lips with My hand.

Here the answer I have for you, oh dear soul:

There is something in you that I have never known.

I am ready to pay you with all that is Mine

If you will in return give Me that heart of thine.

It is what I cannot find in all My domain,

It is what I have dreamt of each night and each day.

Offer you an exchange: life for life and its lot –

You will give to Me yours, Mine to you will be brought.

Trade your weaknesses now for My strength and My power,

May your night be exchanged for My light and My love.

You are right: all of yours does not have cost at all,

But My life is invaluable, My dear soul.

And with that kind of price – price of life – Jesus Christ

I have paid so together we could be at last.

Take you My sacrifice? Will you be Mine again?

Or should more days and nights I await you in vain?..”

That melodious voice breathed, my heart filled with peal,

And with love kept embracing and drawing me near.

But one thing from my memory I can never erase

Is how my little heart beat the so precious “yes.”