“Silentium!” by Fyodor Tyutchev – life poetry

“Silentium!” is an archetypal poem by Tyutchev. Published in 1830, it is remarkable for its rhythm crafted so as to make reading in silence easier than aloud toward others. Like so many of his poems, its images are anthropomorphic and pulsing with pantheism. As one Russian critic put it, "the temporal epochs of human life, its past and its present fluctuate and vacillate in equal measure: the unstoppable current of time erodes the outline of the present." Full text below.

#motivationalpoem, #lifepoem, #tyutchev

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Fyodor Tyutchev (December 5, 1803 – July 27, 1873) was a Russian poet and diplomat. He is one of the most memorized and quoted Russian poets. The 200 or so lyric pieces which represent the core of his poetic genius, whether describing a scene of nature or passions of love, put a premium on metaphysics. A modernist sense of frightening anxiety permeates his poetry.
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Translated by Vladimir Nabokov

Speak not, lie hidden, and conceal
the way you dream, the things you feel.
Deep in your spirit let them rise
akin to stars in crystal skies
that set before the night is blurred:
delight in them and speak no word.

How can a heart expression find?
How should another know your mind?
Will he discern what quickens you?
A thought once uttered is untrue.
Dimmed is the fountainhead when stirred:
drink at the source and speak no word.

Live in your inner self alone
within your soul a world has grown,
the magic of veiled thoughts that might
be blinded by the outer light,
drowned in the noise of day, unheard...
take in their song and speak no word.

(1829), early 1830

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This channel is one of “Top 10 Poetry YouTube Channels” by Feedspot:

[galina.keencat-poetryreadi]

If you’d like to read along, turn on the subtitles.

[MrMattirving]

I've recently come back to this poem through a different translation, but wanted to express my awe of your recital, too. That was beautiful.

[jccamerini]

I'm in awe of this poem... (and of this flawless recitation).

[iwanlaptew]

Много исполнений этого стиха я слушал, но вы - гениальны в исполнение... Спасибо вам!