Pulling out, I’m tearing tendons... But today is just like yesterday. I’m surrounded, I have been hemmed in. I’m a predator turned into prey. From the shadows rifles are thumping, Hunters hiding behind the trees. On the snow wolves rolling and jumping: Living targets, nowhere to flee! The hunt is on! The hunt is on! The hunt is on now! Mature animals and cubs are being mowed! The beaters scream and the slobbering hounds howl. The flags fly crimson over crimson snow. No mercy, no fairness shown... Hands are steady, as bolt actions clank. By the red flags our freedom is zoned, As they’re firing rounds point blank! But we wolves can’t break with tradition. Must have been in our childhood, blind, With our mother’s milk we’ve been conditioned: "Don’t cross, don’t cross the flagline!" The hunt is on! The hunt is on! The hunt is on now! Mature animals and cubs are being mowed. The beaters scream and the slobbering hounds howl. The flags fly crimson over crimson snow. Someone tell me: what are we doing? Tell us, Alpha: can’t we rebel? Why are we dashing towards our ruin And not trying to break this corral? Not the wolf: he cannot, he must not! And my time is now almost done, As the one who is now my master Grins with pleasure and raises his gun. The hunt is on! The hunt is on! The hunt is on now! Mature predators and cubs are being mowed. The humans scream and the slobbering hounds howl. The flags fly crimson over crimson snow. I transgress. I stop following orders. Lust for life drives me over the lines. I hear gleefully behind the border Shouting men, left without their prize! Pulling out, I’m tearing tendons... But today is not like yesterday! I’m surrounded, but I will not surrender! Empty-handed the men go away! The hunt is on! The hunt is on! The hunt is on now! Mature predators and cubs are being mowed. The humans scream and the slobbering hounds howl. The flags fly crimson over crimson snow.
© Vadim Astrakhan. Translation, ?
© Vadim Astrakhan. Performance, 2013