[Tālu aiz pilsētas krītošu raķešu gaismā]

by Amanda Aizpuriete

Tālu aiz pilsētas krītošu raķešu gaismā

Kareivja māte izkravā manu maisu.

 

Tur purva, nakts un nāves smarža visam.

Māt, vai mēs uzvarai ticam?

 

Pulkstenis, šķiltavas, dzeltējošs meitenes smaids.

Papira driskas. Pēdējais sveiciens? Vaids?

 

Dzeja. Par nakti, purvu un nāvi.

Tālāk par naktīm, purviem un nāvēm –

 

Par pilsētu. Par pieneni. Par mums.

 

[Far beyond the city in the light of falling rockets]

by Amanda Aizpuriete

Far beyond the city in the light of falling rockets

The soldier’s mother loaded a sack with objects.

 

There was a grove, night and the smell of death on everything.

Mother, do we still believe in victory?

 

Clock, cigarette lighter, the golden smile of a girl.

Tatters of paper. A last greeting? A wail?

 

Poetry. About night, the grove and death.

Further than nights, groves and deaths –

 

About the city. About a dandelion. About us.

translated from Latvian by Inara Cedrins
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