ANDRAŽ Poem by Tomaž Šalamun

my brother strides naked
beautiful as a virgin spring
through the hall, kills the lamb
with love

we eat and meditate on the image

sleds rust between winters, the sky gets lower
and grows damp
the earth bears strawberries
soldiers stand hungry
among daffodils yellow as night
a clear, pure guard

shutters, closed and locked
trail markers in the woods and mountains
O Mt. Caven, air crowded with angels

army tracks, bread, bread
O Sibyil, split hardened color
immovable, unalterable itch

Translated by Michael Biggins