At times, [Khlebnikov's] verse sounds like what birds presumably heard from Saint Francis. Under his pen, nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and prepositions undergo mutations as mind-boggling as those of a cell hit by immense radiation. Beautiful or grotesque, the results are often memorable...diamonds of an unparalleled splendor.
   --Joseph Brodsky, New Republic

He was surely one of the most remarkable practitioners in language who has ever written. He seems to inhabit the very heart of his language, exploring its roots, making it send up new and wondeful growths...What of those who approach him through translation? Can they come to see the importance and beauty of his work? This is the challenge taken up by Paul Schmidt...A fine achievement.
   --Peter France, Times Literary Supplement

Khlebnikov was a poet ahead of his time. He is full of rock 'n' roll, fire, and cosmic fantasy that outdo any sci-fi feature. Paul Schmidt is even wilder and more tender than the poet he translates. Together they make you spin.
   --Elizabeth Swados

Paul Schmidt is the winner of the Max Hayward Prize for his translation of Velimir Khlebnikov, The King of Time: Selected Writings of the Russian Futurian (Harvard).

Ronald Vroon is Professor of Slavic Languages and Literatures at UCLA.

Read More by Velimir Khlebnikov:

• Collected Works of Velimir Khlebnikov, Volume I, Letters and Theoretical Writings
• Collected Works of Velimir Khlebnikov, Volume II, Prose, Plays, and Supersagas
• The King of Time: Selected Writings of the Russian Futurian

Read More by Paul Schmidt:

• The King of Time: Selected Writings of the Russian Futurian
• Collected Works of Velimir Khlebnikov, Volume I, Letters and Theoretical Writings
• Collected Works of Velimir Khlebnikov, Volume II, Prose, Plays, and Supersagas

Read More by Ronald Vroon:

• Collected Works of Velimir Khlebnikov, Volume II, Prose, Plays, and Supersagas