It's beginning to look a lot like New Year's!
Everywhere you go.
Ёлочки on the squares,
Glitter in frigid air,
Bright игрушки all aglow …
It's beginning to look a lot like New Year's!
Traffic is standing still,
And the prettiest sight you'll see
Is a highway that's clear and free!
Now that's a holiday thrill!
The newest smartphone
(Need to take out a loan)
Is the wish of Дима and Саша.
Дублёнка or fur
(Oh, the debts you'll incur!)
Is the hope of every Наташа.
And parents dream of a giant screen:
Ирония Судьбы или С лёгким паром!
It's beginning to look a lot like New Year's!
Москвичи are full of cheer.
Refrigerators can barely close
Because, as everyone knows:
This must be the best feast of the year!
It's beginning to look a lot like New Year's!
Every plane and train is packed.
And the thought that makes your heart sing —
That gives your step just a little spring:
It'll be weeks before anyone's back!
Ёлочки = fir trees
Москвичи = Muscovites
Игрушки = tree ornaments
Дублёнка = sheepskin coat
Ирония Судьбы или С лёгким паром =
"The Irony of Fate or Enjoy Your Bath" (Russians' favorite New Year's movie)
Michele A. Berdy, a Moscow-based translator and interpreter, is author of "The Russian Word's Worth" (Glas), a collection of her columns.
