Dusha Rossii - Soul of Russia

Walking through the paths of Russia

Where I will never stop looking around

To search for the hidden souls

Dusha Rossii, Dusha Rossii

Where did you go,

What are you looking for,

Why do I wait,

Why do I miss you so much?

Oh Twin Spirit

Have mercy on a lonely soul

Which has never forgotten you

My most beloved

Have mercy on my soul!

Dusha Rossii, Dusha Rossii

What have you done to your people,

How can I ever visit you, in fear,

Will you greet me with open arms?

I am afraid I am not ready

But one day I will come with all my might

To search for what you had before

In the Pasternak I cannot understand

And the Nabokov I can comprehend,

Or just by thinking of what Chekov meant

By his stories of your peasants, dearest Russia!

But is Dusha Rossii really Dusha Rossii,

Does it really exist?

Or will I just find a cold winter

And a cold people?

Do I really want to come

And let you disappoint my spirit

After so many years of contemplation?

What about my Twin Spirit

Where is he in Russia?

Strolling by the Kremlin in Moscow

Or by Lenin in old St. Petersburg

Or lost in the unknown paths of Siberia

Where has he forgotten me?

Do not ever think I am a fool

For treasuring you in such a way,

For one day you will look back

And still find me here.

Be it today or be it tomorrow

You will find in me what was in me before

So wherever you are,

Whatever you do,

I will never abandon you,

Dusha Rossii!

Mirka Mifsud Bonnici

Thursday 12th April, Friday 13th April 2001.

Dusha Rossii was published on June's newsletter issued by the Russian Cultural Centre on the Russian National Day.