The saying: “words are sharper than two-edged sword” is no more truer statement than in poetry. If prose is the horizontal medium of communication, poetry is its most vertical and refined pillars, in somehow like music has a universal color tone, tune and appeal.

POETRY IS NOT ONLY
FOOD FOR THE SOUL, MUSIC TO THE EAR,
BUT ART TO THE CONNOISSEUR, BEAUTY TO THE AMATEUR,
INTRIGUE TO THE INTELLECTUAL,
MAZE TO THE INTRUDER, CHALLENGE TO THE LINGUISTIC,
FOREIGN TO THE OUTSIDER …

The Russian poets, over the years, wrote some of the most exhilarating poetry, in all its mosaic forms, that the literal world has and/or will ever experience. The old USSR has unfortunately obscured those talented elites but their legacy has survived, and now can be savored.

Although, there are hosts of translations of Russian poetry, many are poor narration while others missed the essence of the poems they were translating.

Ms. Maya S. Jouravel, a poet in her own merit, decided to embark on a mission of research, study and scrutiny, in selecting, for translation, some of the most classically invigorating masterpieces of the Russian poetry. Her sole goal and desire were and still are to reflect not only the faithfulness to all the aspects of poetry, be it to the original texts, forms, lyrics, circuitry, cadence, essence, measures, alliterations etc… but also to give the reader an accurate and precise rendering of the original poems in their depth, width and length so that they will have a taste of the rich and exceptional writings of a select collection of some of Russia’s greatest poets and poetesses.

I am proud and fortunate to be a part of Ms. Jouravel’s enormous effort and dedication and work. Although my humble contribution was as an editor, nevertheless, she single-handedly accomplished the majority of the work. She accorded me an honor to be a part of this noble and rewarding task, for which I am immensely grateful. Those translations that already gracing many of the pages of the world wide web and exquisitely savored by many returning poetry’s lovers, were made possible by the unadulterated dedication and the unwavering conviction of the translator herself. She spent years perfecting them to present you with the best, so this first collection of select poems and poets may enrich your inner souls with its imagery, beauty and excellence.

Without further due, I introduce you to some of Ms. Jouravel’s links, so please visit with Ms. Jouravel, and enjoy hours of excellent poetical pageantry and familiarize yourself with the beauty of Russian masters of Poetry, as you consider it your “first rendez-vous” with the true Russian masterpieces.