Yuri Levitansky
Expecting concerns unfamiliar...

Expecting concerns unfamiliar,
But ready to take them in,
I came back as a new civilian
In my combat boots from Berlin.

I looked about me:
The snow-covered banks.
White clouds in spacious skies.
And women folding to their breasts
Bars of milk frozen in ice.

They tottered along
All afraid of sliding,
Their headscarves low.
I heard the sound of sledges grinding
On icy snow.

Everywhere was light — clear
and glaring —
And the snow — oh, so white!
There I found my post-war bearings
My forgotten life.

The dust has been washed,
The dirt has been scraped
And the war is over.
For a rainy day, I have nothing saved
All that’s mine is on me.

I’m testing myself in my new domain,
I’m now in control
Of chopping wood and taking pails
To the ice hole.

The pot with potatoes is blowing steam
My dinner is all set.
And ration cards have been redeemed
With sodden bread.

And my field overcoat is mended,
Not a single speck.
The children look at my shiny medals
With respect.

My loud clanging
With fire irons
As I’m raking ashes
Echoes for them
Like the bugles’ blare
And the heavy artillery crashes.

But for me the dim light of dawning
And the drifting snow at the door
Feel like complete withdrawing
From the years of war.

The wag-on-the-wall is counting
Sinking in its drowsy lull;
My boots from that foreign country
Are standing against the wall.

Translated by Olga Dumer