Betti Alver

1906-1989 / Jõgeva

Corals in an Ancient River

A shimmering rainbow's high ridge
arched over the river that day.
We stood on the cast-iron bridge;
ahead lay your iron-paved way.

Time's treasures have all lost their lustre,
God's truth has a dull, lifeless glimmer;
but the river flows stronger and faster
where the beads of coral still shimmer.
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