Behind The Curtain Poem by Werner Horne

A translation from the Afrikaans poem “Agter die Gordyn”

A Russian Christmas

Nastarovia comes the echo
From the ancient castle porch
With iron cup Vodka, raised
Against steel gray skies
On this white Step plain

Lights on the tree are long past gone

Because such strong icons are rewarded
With fields without lines
And scarecrow constables without toes

Keep the Christ tree somber and the moment more
Stuff the Commu-ears save Stalin visits us
Hide the Christmas socks behind veil and lock
But one thing know for sure – the Star on top
Brighter and longer shines
Than this meager winter son ever would