That night at all I didn’t drink, I didn’t talk, I didn’t sing, I was just watching her and sipping beer. But the one who was with her before said: “You’re heading out the door”, He said: “You’re leaving now, for you there’s nothing here!” And he, who was with her before, began to bully me some more. But I ignored him. I just ignored him. When it was time for me to go, she said: “You’re leaving? No, no, no!” “You aren’t leaving, no, no, no. It’s still too early.” But he, who was with her before, decided to engage in war: He did remember me, yes, he remembered. Once me and friend walk down the street. Guess whom, with company, we meet? Guess whom with company we meet? Eight, altogether. I didn’t run, I drew a knife. You bastards won’t take my life! We’re gonna make it! We’ll make it through it! For nothing I’m not gonna die. I was the first to strike the guy, I was the first to stab the guy. I had to do it! They charged ahead, they didn’t wait. The fight was going all the way, No chance to stop it. No chance to cool it. Somebody jumped me from behind. I tried to reach him and struck blind I tried to reach him and struck blind, but it was too late. The cops appeared on their tail. And they got hospitals in jail. It was rewarding, it was rewarding. The surgeon cut me with both hands, he said: “Hold on, bro, if you can”, He said: “Hold on, bro, if you can”, and I was holding. I left the hospital too late. Regretfully, she didn’t wait. But I forgive her. There is no hating. Of course, I let it go for her! As for the one who was before, As for the one who was before - I will be waiting! Of course, I let it go for her! As for the one who was before, As for the one who was before - I will be waiting!
© Vadim Astrakhan. Translation, 2007
© Vadim Astrakhan. Performance, 2007