“The search for the soul mate, the perfect partner to complete you, is a bit like searching for the perfect food when you’ve got a giant ulcer in your stomach. No matter what you find, it will never be good enough.”

Russian poet and translator, born in 1973. She is best known for her lyrical, introspective verse that explores themes of memory, identity, and the quiet beauty of everyday life. Her translations of classical and contemporary poetry bridge Eastern and Western literary traditions.