But Could You? (1913)
by Vladimir Mayakovsky, translated by Dmitri Smirnov
Vladimir Mayakovsky75902But Could You?1913Dmitri Smirnov (D. Smirnov-Sadovsky)

But Could You?

I blurred at once the map of humdrum,
by splashing colours like a potion;
I showed upon the dish of jelly
the slanted cheekbones of the ocean.

Upon the scales of metal fishes
I read the new lips’ attitude.
But could you
now
perform a nocturne
Just playing on a drainpipe flute?

<1913>

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Original:

This work is in the public domain in the United States because it was published before January 1, 1929.


The longest-living author of this work died in 1930, so this work is in the public domain in countries and areas where the copyright term is the author's life plus 93 years or less. This work may be in the public domain in countries and areas with longer native copyright terms that apply the rule of the shorter term to foreign works.

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Translation:

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