I

my brother sits on an old stool
and bends symbols he alone understands
out of copper wire

wire spirals, ovals, squares
wire hearts
hung on nails hammered into the wall

I find the luster of the copper wire beautiful
shining slow-worm bodies
bog berries - I pick them and put them in my mouth

they dissolve
a copper snake
hypnotizes my shadow

my brother concentrating bends wire symbols
II

he sits wrapped in a plaid rug
and stares into the corner
(where the wall and ceiling intersect)

slowly the plaster comes off
falls onto the floor
the colors fade

neglected, dead spider webs
above the rot -
dampness penetrates ever deeper

my brother smokes
and his hands tremble
now he looks through the window

I see how wrinkles open on his forehead -
it is hopeless to resist
everything happens that happens

I listen to my brother's speech
suddenly remember that I am older

the yellow stain on the wall looks like a map

© Alvydas Šlepikas
Translated by Jonas Zdanys