Evgeny Vinokurov

With lazy look having observed all round, 
In his first day, he flattened gentle grass,
Lay in the shade of the fig-tree on ground – 
His head on hands – and closed dreamy eyes.

His sleep was sweet. He slept without disturbance
Under the silence of the Eden’s skies…
He saw a dream – the Auschwitz’s blazing furnace,
And filled with corpses black intestines-dykes.

He saw his children!..
In the bliss of Eden,
A smile was spreading on his face like flood,
He dozed, still not even understanding,
Not knowing what might be bad or good. 


Translated by Yevgeny Bonver, September 26, 2001