You had to understand your place is under water
among colorless grass
barely seen from a boat
among the mute fish in the lake
where mud is the softest bed
and rings around raindrops on the surface
are the best dreams
you had to understand eugenijus
life and death are communicating vessels
the journey starts where the oxygen ends
you had to many times you had to
now you will not return to the city of ash
and will not say I'm sorry
I just wanted like nero to watch
columns of flame over the eternal city
you have forgotten the way back your name is forbidden
to be published even in tabloids
did you expect more
for passion for every moment of ecstasy
you pay the night tariff
and the night is irresponsible in this country
your place is among those who so far have not learned
to breathe with lungs
who grew mirrory scales
and inhabit turbid dreams
winter or summer your place is under ice
even under thin ice
even under absent ice

Translated by Harvey L. Hix and the author