Quotessence
Home / Authors / Anna Akhmatova
Anna Akhmatova

Anna Akhmatova Quotes

Poet

Filter quotes by topic

AllPoetryRussianLoveLossPainSecretSilenceSoulDeathDreamHeartMemorySongStillsWorldColdFireHoursIfsKnows

Famous Anna Akhmatova Quotes

“In intimacy there exists a line That can't be crossed by passion or love's art -- In awful silence lips melt into one And out of love to pieces bursts the heart. And friendship here is impotent, and years Of happiness sublime in fire aglow, When soul is free and does not hear The dulling of sweet passion, long and slow. Those who are striving toward it are in fever, But those that reach it struck with woe that lingers. Now you have understood, why forever My heart does not beat underneath your fingers.”

LoveHeartArtPoetryPassionSilenceIntimacyRussian
Author:Anna Akhmatova
Create image

“This city by the fearsome river Was my crib blessed and dear And a solemn wedding bed Which the garlands for the head Your young cherubs held above - A city loved with bitter love. The subject of my prayers Were you, moody, calm, and austere. There first the groom came to me Having shown me the pathway holy, And that sad muse of mine Led me like one blind. * II * December 9, 1913 The darkest days of the year Must become the most clear. I can't find words to compare - Your lips are so tender and dear. Only to raise your eyes do not dare, Keeping the life of me. They're lighter than vials premier, And deadlier for me. I understand now, that we need no words, The snowed branches are light, and more, The birdcatcher, to catch birds, Has laid nets on the rivershore.”

LovePainPoetryLossSilenceRussian
Author:Anna Akhmatova
Create image

“The whole time I was hoping my silence would fit yours and exclamation marks would gently float across time and space so that boundaries would be crossed; the whole time I was praying you would read my eyes and understand what I was never able to understand. See, we were never about butterflies. We’ve always been about burning stars. All about us is unearthly and radiant.”

WholeWould BeEyeAbleStarsSpaceSilencePrayingFitMarkBoundariesBurningButterflyTime And SpaceFloatsRadiantExclamationExclamation Marks
Author:Anna Akhmatova
Create image