Make the bath warm for me, in white, I’ve grown unaccustomed to the white light I’ll be poisoned, and my poisoned self’s tongue Will be untied by the scorching hot steam. Make the bath warm, nice owner, I’ll make myself red-hot, I’ll set myself alight On the seat, by the very edge, I’ll eliminate all doubts in myself. I’ll languish myself to obscenity, A cold dipper, and it’s all behind. And the tattoo of the cult of personality times Will go bright-blue on my left breast. Make the bath warm for me, in white, I’ve grown unaccustomed to the white light I’ll be poisoned, and my poisoned self’s tongue Will be untied by the scorching hot steam. How much belief and forests were felled, That much sorrow and tracks were uncovered, And on the left breast - the profile of Stalin, And on the right - Marina Onfas. Eh, for this utter devotion How many years have I rested in heaven! I’ve exchanged my enormous stupidity For this grim life in poverty. Make the bath warm for me, in white, I’ve grown unaccustomed to the white light I’ll be poisoned, and my poisoned self’s tongue Will be untied by the scorching hot steam. I remember, how very early one morning I managed to yell to my brother "Help!" And for that, two pretty guards Took me from Siberia to Siberia. And later, in the quarry, or the swamp, After swallowing tears and dust We tattooed the profile closer to our hearts So he’ll hear, how the they burst. Make the bath warm for me, in white, I’ve grown unaccustomed to the white light I’ll be poisoned, and my poisoned self’s tongue Will be untied by the scorching hot steam. Oh, I’m shivering from the meticulous story, The steam drove the thoughts from my head. From the fog of the icy past, I’m plunged into scorching fog. The thoughts knocked on my head, It turned out that I’m marked with it for nothing, And I’m beating with a birch brush On the legacy of dark times. Make the bath warm for me, in white, I’ve grown unaccustomed to the white light I’ll be poisoned, and my poisoned self’s tongue Will be untied by the scorching hot steam.
© Anton L.. Translation, 2016