The Infinite Tower (Бесконечная Башня)

Enclosed within the tower, surrounded by walls,
Not captive, for heavy stones can’t bind the call of thoughts.
Descending step by step into depths profound,
He challenges the verges where his consciousness is bound.

Capturing gems of universal secrets,
He fills a ring of keys; door after door, floor after floor.
Amongst them, come across keys to wealth and fame.
Yet at that moment, his mind is elsewhere:

“How far must I descend? Which way to go, tunnel or bridge?”

At times, dismayed by fires’ darkness, his heart is yearning sunlight.

“Why all this? Is there a point?
Is this a hopeless loop of my imagination?”

Resting on cloak by icy arches, he declares to walls:

“Enough, I’m done!
Here’s good enough. I’ll halt.”

An hour passes in the dark, another, then boredom overcomes.

He craves for light, desires to savor life. Dreams of retrieving all he found, away from tower.

To show his friends:
”Look at this wonder! Could you imagine?"

Not merely to show.
A diamond cuts stone. A ruby, on occasion, saves lives.
He knows, the dim glow of depth’s secrets
On surface, will cause dawn at night.

The frozen hand grips amulet tight,
Reminding him: true light within.

Stands up. Doubts turn to ash.
“Although I venture deeper, I head towards the sun.
This path is full of wonders, though confined by walls;
Despite the moisture, mold, and cold.
“No wall was built to stop the mind.”

Expanding shoulders, he journeys on towards the light.
In exploration, he marvels at the nature’s beauty, wonders.
“No one on surface has ever seen such splendor!”
His mind is in one thought:
“How marvelous! If only I could carry it to end.”

Translated with partial assistance of ChatGPT-4, OpenAI, version as of August 3 2023.