A Low Bow to Man by Leonid Laptsui

All around the Earth goes Man, her master,
Every day hi stride grows bolder, faster.
Tireless, firm, on clay and sand and rock
Like a clock his steps resound: tick-tock!

At the sound, the Earth from sleep awakes
And a silent bow to Man it makes.

Arctic waters slumber under ice,
Gripped in its embrace as in a vice.
Warmed by Man's hot breath, the Arctic Ocean
Bows to Man with reverent emotion.

Sunset's fire burns low. The sky for night
Dons blue clothes with stars embroidered bright.
And the stars like merry twinkling eyes
Smile at Man from high up in the skies.

And the Moon, too, tender-faced and pale,
Wraps the clouds around her like a veil
To give Man a humble bow of greeting
At their now non-too-distant meeting.

People, don't forget among your worries
In an age that whirls and hurls and hurries--
Just to bow to Man; the road he treads
Is hard one, both for hearts and heads.

Translated by Dorian Rottenberg. Soviet Literature, 1976