Vladimir Mayakovsky


Vladimir Vladimirovich Mayakovsky, was a noted Russian poet, playwright, satirist, socialist, graphic artist (Agitprop posters, mainly) and general rabble rouser.




In his youth


With Lilya Brik. Pablo Neruda said she was "the muse of Russian avant-garde." Brik was married, and never left her husband, but her passionate romantic relationship with Mayakovsky was in the public eye. The worked together on several film projects, and he dedicated poetry to her.






Portraits by Rodchenko

in 1930, Mayakovsky committed suicide. Rumors and speculations circulated, suggesting he was murdered. However, that was never more than a speculation. His unfinished poem, a suicide note, read in part:

"The love boat has crashed against the everyday. You and I, we are quits, and there is no point in listing mutual pains, sorrows, and hurts."


My favorite poem of his (in translation, of course)

Listen!

Listen,
if stars are lit
it means - there is someone who needs it.
It means - someone wants them to be,
that someone deems those specks of spit
magnificent.
And overwrought,
in the swirls of afternoon dust,
he bursts in on God,
afraid he might be already late.
In tears,
he kisses God's sinewy hand
and begs him to guarantee
that there will definitely be a star.
He swears
he won't be able to stand that starless ordeal.
Later,
He wanders around, worried,
but outwardly calm.
And to everyone else, he says:
'Now,
it's all right.
You are no longer afraid,
are you?'
Listen,
if stars are lit,
it means - there is someone who needs it.
It means it is essential
that every evening
at least one star should ascend
over the crest of the building.