Of modern and true love // О современной и настоящей любви. Александр Сальва

      While we were studying our classes,

      Inspired by the books of love,

      And clearly seeing all life’s dullness,

      While having left our years behind.

      And then without any notice

      Among the daily fuss and stir

      This event suddenly arose,

      Of which you further will be told.

      Please meet my heroes: they are splendid,

      So beautiful in their youth,

      They still don't know even a bit,

      That it’s of them we tell the truth.

      I probably will start with the heroine:

      No, not in Moscow she was born,

      In countryside where she was living,

      Her early days had slowly gone.

      In dullness. Though her parents loved her,

      Praised every moment, all her steps

      And they were saving for a dowry,

      For worthy life, as good as that.

      Days passing by, she became bored

      Among her family and friends,

      And then she urgently resolved

      To flee from all these cloudy days.

      So, for her soul edification

      And with the previous life at parting,

      Ahead, in hope and expectation

      She rushed off to the non-native town.

      Where skyscrapers’rereflected in the puddles,

      Where are mercantile selfish creeps,

      Where girls are looking for a husband,

      Without any love to feel.

      Forgive me, oh, mysterious reader,

      Forgot the most important thing,

      It’s time to show her appearance,

      Describe our lovely heroine.

      She was a beauty, that’s for sure

      And there’s no need in any words,

      So tall, with hair to midshoulder,

      So brave, with tongue just like a sword.

      She did not like the others’ twitting

      And treasured kindness in the folk

      And name that destiny had given

      To her, had clear meaning «Hope».

      It seemed to Nadya there were plenty

      Troubles to find a chosen one

      But this impression was deceptive

      (I’ll tell you how it had begun)

      While in the capital, so heartless,

      Because of job that couldn’t be found,

      She, like a bird, so free and lovely

      Was mixed with local party crowd.

      Where serenity is reigning

      And parties are until the dawn

      At places, where for time-wasting,

      They want to meet someone unknown.

      In clubs for whole days she was drifting,

      And, tried to find the sense in this.

      As if her conscience woke from sleeping,

      Searched for acquaintance without risk,

      And with some profit. This occurred:

      These idle days came to an end

      She found the support, to be sure,

      Due to her close and faithful friends.

      A job she suddenly was offered

      At Moscow company, one of all

      Where they hired tag, rag and bobtail

      Where chance for luck is quite a small.

      Nadezhda wasn’t upset: she started

      Working so hard all her days long

      And soon she saved for a new apartment,

      She entered into a certain loan.

      It seemed like nothing else was lacking

      With such success that she had reached:

      The things went smoothly, coherently,

      All was perform without a hitch.

      And then one day in the park, just where

      She walked her way in the moonlight

      Feeling so fine, so bright and dared,

      Our hero chanced to catch her sight.

      With a friend he went on, laughing,

      Approaching closely Nadya’s dream

      And suddenly, a little frightened,

      He saw his fortune in the gleams.

      And time stood still. The moment lasted,

      His could not turn away his eyes,

      From her. Time was so small for realizing

      Things that occurred as surprise.

      She smiled at him, her smile was dazzling.

      And, seeing him near on the path,

      Just once again she in amazement

      Turned to him, and he merged with crowd.

      This moment was when two hearts’ beating

      Was heard in spite of vanity,

      To fall in love was meant this meeting

      To overcome the calamity.

      Yes, that’s of course was love at first sight,

      About which the songs are sung

      And even if it’s so demanded,

      This gift is not for everyone.

      But let’s get back at our hero:

      With all the courage that he had,

      Having seen such a girl so near,

      He slowly followed all her steps.

      And having pulled right from his pocket

      The banknote, he shouted out loud:

      «Wait,