Margarita Aliger - I always pay, I always pay

I always pay, I always pay –
'a step's made – pay a fee!'
But sometimes come the funny day,
which I would live for free.
And life again is kind to me
and pours on me its silks,
but secretly prepares such bills
that, through a pair of months or years,
I’d pay a double, may be…

Translated by Yevgeny Bonver

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