With all strength, with all legs, I am running But today’s just like yesterday. They’ve ensnared me in a blockade They are chasing me with great joy. From the fir trees the rifles are firing - There the hunters are aiming at shade. On the snow the wolves are curling, Having turn into living aim. There is a chase upon the wolves, there is a chase here, On the grey predators, the pups and hags. The hunters shout, and dogs are shouting till they throw up, There’s blood upon the snow and the red flags. They are not giving the wolves equal treatment. But the arm does not touch, does not turn! Having bounded with flags their freedom They are shooting certainly on. The wolf cannot violate his tradition. As blind pups, as just little babes, We the wolf-pups were sucking the she-wolf And sucked in: Can’t go beyond flags. There is a chase upon the wolves, there is a chase here, On the grey predators, the pups and hags. The hunters shout, and dogs are shouting till they throw up, There’s blood upon the snow and the red flags. Our legs and jaws do move quickly. Why then - chieftain, answer us will you please - Do we rush to the shot in a trauma And cannot do otherwise? The wolf must not, he cannot, do elsewise. It’s about the end of my time. He, the one who is bound to kill me Smiled and lifted the gun to his eye. There is a chase upon the wolves, there is a chase here, On the grey predators, the pups and hags. The hunters shout, and dogs are shouting till they throw up, There’s blood upon the snow and the red flags. I have come out of guilt, out of fear, Beyond flags - will to live is more strong - And behind me with joy I did hear The astounded shouts of the throng. With all strength, with all legs, I am running But today’s not like yesterday. They’ve ensnared me in a blockade But the hunters got nothing today. There is a chase upon the wolves, there is a chase here, On the grey predators, the pups and hags. The hunters shout, and dogs are shouting till they throw up, There’s blood upon the snow and the red flags.
© Ilya Shambat. Translation, 2003