Laurynas Katkus

1972 / Vilnius

The Truck Driver´s Wife

Truck Driver's Wife In the morning only a leather cap on the shelf.
Driver At first I was really moving- -and thought I might turn over.
Truck Driver's Wife I'm surrounded by cats again. Yarn chokes my neck.
Driver Bremen. Sleet. Dreaming of borderguards.
Truck Driver's Wife Oh, I'm sick. Even looking out the window doesn't help.
Driver Oblivious, I press the front of the truck, your breast.
Truck Driver's Wife It's not contagious, but it's deadly.
Mother already carries out the rubbish, buys the food.
Driver I will bring you the milk of Europe, and you'll be cured.
Truck Driver's Wife Christmas. Outside the window
somebody shouts, „Desdemona, I will make you happy." For
me no more. I'm leaving, changing flats, name,
nationality....
Driver Done. Turning on the headlights, pressing the
steering wheel, like I can shorten the way. I feel there
are only a few minutes left. Will I be on time. On time?

Translated by Kerry Shawn Keys
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