Album for the Young (and Old): Poems

I was previously unaware of this remarkable Russian poet; however, this beautiful volume has convinced me to look further into her work. She has twenty other volumes. Although one can never feel confident of translated poetry, her poems resonate clearly in English. One would love to be able to read the originals.

Pavlova’s forms are simple and simply expressed. She is direct and lyrical. The blurb refers to this technique as “microverse.” In the poem “Morning Prayer,” Pavlova states she does not miss her childhood, and then poetically turns and queries, “I wonder if my childhood misses me, if only a bit.” That opening poem engaged me deeply. As I read through this volume, I often would read poems aloud, stop and feel the place that the poet had described. Such is her gift that she takes the reader to the place and feeling of her poetry. We travel with her from her childhood that is no longer missed, through growing and adulthood, first loves, longing, and the contemplation of death. A beautiful book of verse and a poet I am happy to have become acquainted with.