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Marina Ivanovna Tsvetayeva [or Tsvetaeva]

Marina Tsvetayeva, one of Russia's finest poets of the twentieth century, was born in Moscow on October 8, 1892. Her poetry is passionate, sharp, and imagistic. Though her elaborate wordplay is

My desk, most loyal friend

by Marina Ivanovna Tsvetayeva [or Tsvetaeva] (1892–1941)

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2<author>
3  <person id="12065" sex="2" role="author">
4    <name>
5      <firstname>Marina Ivanovna</firstname>
6      <lastname>
7        Tsvetayeva [
8        <i>or</i>
9        Tsvetaeva]
10      </lastname>
11    </name>
12    <life-events>
13      <date ty="birth" circa="false" suffix="ad">1892</date>
14      <date ty="death" circa="false" suffix="ad">1941</date>
15      <text-value>(1892–1941)</text-value>
16    </life-events>
17    <biography>y</biography>
18  </person>
19</author>
20

My desk, most loyal friend

thank you. You've been with me on

every road I've taken.

My scar and my protection.

My loaded writing mule.

Your tough legs have endured

the weight of all my dreams, and

burdens of piled-up thoughts.

Thank you for toughening me.

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