Today

So today I tried to write again

about the most important things — the enormous sun

rising beyond the smokestacks.

The crimes of the entire nation.

And the twisted throat of a songbird

accomplishing its daily heroics during an argument.

But I couldn't get a line by Elena Shvarts out of my head:

the heart is like a punching bag,

pounded from the inside.

*Elena Shvarts — Russian Poet (1948-2010)