No matter how the supporters of unified assessments and approaches to the classification of countries, peoples and individuals gossip, Russia is a special country. The national question, which turned out to be the cause of the destruction of many states, has long been resolved here with minimal costs. The life and work of David Samoilov can serve as a convincing confirmation of this statement.
Citizen of the Soviet Union
The biography of David Samoilov bears a clear imprint of the historical period in which the poet had to live. A child from an intelligent family, where his father was a leading specialist in one of the branches of medicine by the name of Kaufman, was sensitive to all manifestations of the surrounding reality. Moscow, it was here that David was born, initially accepted representatives of different peoples into its fold. Not that this place is a melting pot, as American sociologists put it. It's just that every person who got here was received without hostility, although the city never believed in tears.
In life, David's career could have developed within the framework of existing family traditions. The profession of a doctor is respected always and everywhere. However, after graduating from school in 1938, he entered MIFIL - Institute of Philosophy, History and Literature. Education, classical for an intellectual, required flexibility of mind and imaginative thinking from the student. A series of military conflicts and the outbreak of war with the Nazis disrupted the creative plans of many masters of the pen. Samoilov wanted to volunteer for Finnish, but for some reason he was not called up - everything has its own turn.
Many Soviet writers went to the front when the Great War broke out. They left "not loving, not having finished their last cigarette." There was a place in the ranks and David Samoilov. For four long years in the war, he got trials, sorrows and glory. The poet did not achieve high ranks. And he did not strive for this. He fought as best he could for his land, for his family and friends. Medals "For Courage", "For Military Merit" and the Order of the Red Star, and badges for severe wounds adorned the front soldier's chest when he returned home.
It's ugly to be famous
The transition to a peaceful life also requires effort and preparation. Samoilov knew well how a soldier lived in the trenches, but it was not easier in the rear either. And yet, creation always takes precedence over destruction. A talented literary critic works in different directions and genres. She translates and writes screenplays. The film "About the Cat …", filmed in 1985, fell in love not only with children, but also with adults. Picky critics note that David Samoilov writes poetry gracefully, deeply and simply. Creative work gives him real pleasure.
A clear confirmation of such conclusions is the poem "Departure". In fact, these are memories of childhood. "Dad is young, and mother is young … And the cab is light and winged … And we are going I don't know where." But not only childhood impressions come to mind. The war breaks through the layers of accumulated impressions and is formatted into clear lines. "The forties, fatal … Lead, gunpowder … The war walks across Russia … And we are so young." These and similar rhythms touch the hidden strings in the soul, to which it is generally impossible to get to the bottom. The poet avoided political topics.
David Samoilov lived modestly. One might say, closed, did not strive for social events and parties. Personal life was unsuccessful at first. And only the second wife created the appropriate atmosphere in the house. “They say Beatrice was a city dweller … Ugly, fat, angry. But love fell on stern Dante, like a gold earring on a stone. Only a loving husband could write this way. Samoilov's legacy has not yet been fully comprehended and understood. The descendants have time to understand and learn from the humble and great poet who lived in the 20th century.
