WHEN NEXT THERE IS A
REVOLUTION
THE PEOPLE WILL WEAR WONDERFUL CLOTHES
IT WILL BE FULL OF LOVE AND JOY
AND NOT LOOK LIKE A FUNERAL...
I, VLADIMIR MAYAKOVSKY
REVOLUTIONARY AT TWELVE
BOLSHEVICK AT FIFTEEN
IN PRISON BECAME THE POET OF THE PEOPLE
I, MAYAKOVSKY
FORMED A WRECKING PARTY
TO UNHINGE THE FUTURE FROM THE PAST
MADE MYSELF A PAIR OF BLACK TROUSERS
FROM THE VELVET OF MY VOICE
COME RESPOND TO MY
POETRY
I AM SPEAKING TO YOU NOW THROUGH TIME
ALONE IN THE FACE OF HISTORY
THROWN OVERBOARD
FROM THE VEHICLE OF MODERNITY
TO UNDERSTAND YOU MUST LISTEN FOR MY VOICE
ALIVE IN THESE WORDS
THOUGH I LONG DEAD BEFORE YOU HEAR THEM
AS LIGHT COMES FADING FROM A DYING STAR
I, VLADIMIR MAYAKOVSKY
BLAZED MY WORDS OVER STEPPE AND URAL, DON AND NEVSKY
DEFAMED, MAN , SHIP,
OSIP BRIC
MAKING POSTERS OF POEMS
BANNERS OF RHYME
SPLASHING MY VERSE AGAINST THE WALLS OF THE REVOLUTION
I, MAYAKOVSKY
TEAR WITH HORROR FROM PROUD HEADS
THOSE CROWNS OF WORTHLESS FAME
AND CRACK SOME SKULLS
WITH MY GOLD TOP CANE
I, MAYAKOVSKY
MADE THINGS STRANGE FOR A WHILE
FOR THE RUSSIAN PEOPLE MAKING THINGS STRANGE FOR YOU
IF YOU'LL LISTEN....
I, VLADIMIR MAYAKOVSKY
SAW MY DREAM DIE
AND MY LOVE GROW COLD
AND VISITED AMERICA
WITH FOUNTAIN PENS IN MY POCKET
FOUND IT FINE FOR MACHINES BUT NOT FOR MEN
I, MAYAKOVSKY
CHOSE THE BULLET TO TROTSKY'S PICK
AND BLEW APART THIS HEART AND ALL THAT'S IN IT
RESOLVING ALL CONTRADICTIONS .