Going in rage with my sinews strained, But today is just like yesterday, They trapped me, sieged me, all around me, Driving me crazy and making me pay. There the shots are heard from the fir trees, There the hunters are hiding in the shade, The wolves are somersaulting in the snow, Turning into living targets: ready-made. There goes on a wolf hunt, a wolf hunt, For grey predators on all the tracks. The hunters are yelling, the dogs are barking, Blood on the snow and everywhere - the red flags. The hunters don’t give a chance to us wolves, But the hand doesn’t tremble anymore, They enclosed our freedom by markers and flags Shooting at us, without missing for sure. For the wolf must never break a tradition, In childhood the cubs were blind and had weak legs, We, cubs, who sucked our mother’s milk, came to know, That we can’t dare run beyond the red flags. There goes on a wolf hunt, a wolf hunt, For grey predators on all the tracks. The hunters are yelling, the dogs are barking, Blood on the snow and everywhere - the red flags. Our legs and jaws are hot and speedy. Why, leader, explain to us - now - We are tired running from each shot, Why not try cross the forbidden zone? A wolf just can.t go in a different way, My time is now coming to an end. And the hunter who had my number, Smiled and aimed a rifle in his hand. There goes on a wolf hunt, a wolf hunt, For grey predators on all the tracks. The hunters are yelling, the dogs are barking, Blood on the snow and everywhere - the red flags. I have broken loose from obedience - Beyond the flags.The thirst for life only began. Only behind me I joyously heard The surprised screams of all men. Going in rage with my sinews strained, But today is not like yesterday. They trapped me, sieged me, all around me, But the hunters were left with nothing at all. There goes on a wolf hunt, a wolf hunt, For grey predators on all the tracks. The hunters are yelling, the dogs are barking, Blood on the snow and everywhere - the red flags.
© Nathan Mer. Translation, 1991