Deutsch and Yarmolinsky, comps. Modern Russian Poetry. 1921.
The Salt SongNikolai Nekrasov (1821–1877)
(From “Who Can Live Happily in Russia?”)
G
No food he’ll try,
The youngest son—
Look, he will die.
Another bit—
He touched it not:
“Put salt on it!”
No pinch I see!
“Take flour, instead,”
God whispered me.
His mouth he pouts,
The little son.
“More salt!” he shouts.
Again all floured,
And wet with tears
It was devoured.
She’d saved her dear….
Salt was the bread—
How salt the tear!