He holds a degree from the State Pedagogical Institute, and published his first verses in 1956. His poetry, which combines philosophical thought with detailed observation of everyday events, has been translated into several languages including English, French, German and Italian. Highlights among his most recent books of poems include Tsiachelistnik (2000, Floating ridge), Kustarnik (2002, Bush) and Jolodni mai (2005, Cold May). He is also the author of several essays, including: Apollo in the Snow (1991) and Volná i kamen (2003, Wave and stone).
A member of the Writers Union and the PEN Club, he has been a recipient of the Russian State Award (1996) and the Russian National Award "Poet" (2005), as well as having being described as one of the best Russian lyric poets by the winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature Joseph Brodsky.
He currently lives in Saint Petersburg.
