Those Born in Obscure Years By Alexandr Blok

Those born in obscure times
Do not remember their way.
We, children of Russia's frightful years
Cannot forget a thing.

Incinerating years!, do you bring tidings of madness or of hope?
The days of war, the days of freedom
Have left a bloody sheen on our faces.
There is a muteness - the tocsin bell
Has made us close our lips.

In our hearts, once so ardent,
There is a fateful emptiness.
Let the croaking raven,
Take flight above our deathbed -
O Lord, O Lord, may those more worthy than us, Behold Thy kingdom!


This poem illustrates the discontent of the Russian people with the actions of Tsar Nicholas II on the Eastern Front. Written in 1914, it starts off by speaking of the Great War. Once again the imagery of birds is used, however very differently in this poem. Birds usually symbolize freedom, but ravens symbolize knowledge and watchfullness. Having a raven fly over the deathbeds can symoblize the liberation of death from the knowledge of the atrocisties of Russian life during that time period. Those who are dead are most likely the russian soldiers sent ill-equipped to the front. The poem also shows the anger of the lower classes by sarcasticly stating that the people in power are not on the same level as those they serve.