IMPROVISATION#113
BELLA AKHMADULINA'S ERA
(1937-2012)

Seeing only dark eyes
without a key
waiting for you
by the door's hallway
leaves are trembling
in the rock garden
overrun with snow
a canary in a cage
still manages to sing
you remove your gloves
in your image of shade
with one faltering step
by the February day cellar
the sun flickers
as you find your way.