"Son" Written By Pavel Antokolsky In 1943 Is The Most Profound And Saddest Poem I've Ever Read

This poem "Son" was written by the Russian Jewish poet Pavel Antokolsky,a year after the death of his 18 year old son Lieutenant Vladimir Antokolovsky,killed in action on June 6th,1942...


Do not call me,father,do not seek me,
Do not call me,do not wish me back.

We’re on a route uncharted,fire and blood erase our tracks.
On we fly,on wings of thunder,never more to sheath our swords.
All of us in battle fallen,not to be brought back by words.

Will there be a rendezvous? I know not.
I only know we still must fight.
We are sand grains in infinity,never to meet,never more see light.

Farewell then my son.Farewell then my conscience.
My youth and my solace my one and my only.

And let this farewell be the end of a story,
Of solitude vast and which none is more lonely.
In which you remain,barred forever and ever,
From light and from air,with your death pangs untold.
Untold and unsoothed,not to be resurrected.
Forever and ever,an 18 year old.

Farewell then,no trains ever come from those regions
Unscheduled or scheduled,no aeroplanes fly there.
Farewell then my son,for no miracles happen,
As in this world dreams do not come true.

Farewell…

I will dream of you still as a baby,
Treading the earth with little strong toes,
The earth where already so many lie buried.
This song to my son,is come to its close.


Thats the most profound and saddest poem i've ever read and the word "Daughter" could be used in place of "Son" and that to me would be just as meaningful and effective...

very nice.

reply to post by blocula


Very sad, you can feel his pain. Anyone who is a parent knows.


Hello from CT

"We Are Sand Grains In Infinity"...Yes We are...