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# Translation, Echo's Execution, Visotsky
- URL: https://www.hawkword.com/poetry/translation-echos-execution-visotsky/
- Published: 2022-05-11T12:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2022-05-11T12:00:00.000Z
- Description: In deep mountain passes where winds wail away unimpeded and ridges so steep that they haven't been conquered, not once A mountainous echo lived happily, knowing it's needed and answered all incoming calls, if but give...
- Author: A. Gee
- Tags: Poetry, Allpoetry Import, #Import 2026-04-25 19:56

In deep mountain passes where winds wail away unimpeded  
and ridges so steep that they haven't been conquered, not once  
A mountainous echo lived happily, knowing it's needed  
and answered all incoming calls, if but given a chance

When loneliness swells in your throat, makes it harder to swallow  
and your stifled groans fall as if to a bottomless pit  
The echo will catch them, and treat them as holy and hallow  
and amplify them, never failing to send or transmit

What manner of folk, stoned and sated, nor lacking companions  
but none heard the snorting of horses and thunder of hooves  
They came but to kill and to silence the spirited canyons  
The echo was caught, promptly gagged, warned against making moves

The sordid affair, an impromptu but bloody all-nighter  
the echo was trampled and tortured and died all alone  
It was executed, just shot, with the sky turning brighter  
The rocks ricochet from the cliffs, as would tears from a stone

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**Author notes:** В тиши перевала, где скалы ветрам не помеха, На кручах таких, на какие никто не проник, Жило-поживало весёлое горное эхо, Оно отзывалось на крик — человеческий крик. Когда одиночество комом подкатит под горло, И сдавленный стон еле слышно в обрыв упадёт, Крик этот о помощи эхо подхватит проворно, Усилит и бережно в руки своих донесёт. Должно быть, не люди, напившись дурмана и зелья, Чтоб не был услышан никем громкий топот и храп, Пришли умертвить, обеззвучить живое ущелье. И эхо связали, и в рот ему всунули кляп. Всю ночь продолжалась кровавая злая потеха, И эхо топтали, но звука никто не слыхал, К утру расстреляли притихшее горное эхо — И брызнули слёзы, как камни, из раненых скал...