Boris Slutsky
The smell of lies, evasive and elusive...

The smell of lies, evasive and elusive
Of lies so white, so holy, unobtrusive,
Maybe of holy lies, of saving lies, but lies,
Of high or lowly lies, of useful lies, but lies,
Of lies that bring a brilliant compromise
Protecting our country so well,
Of lies that are so noble and so wise.
But anyway, it's stinky, sickly smell,
The smell of lies.

Translated by Igor Mazin