34 292
34
Natalka Bilotserkivets
GARTER SNAKES
There is the forlorn woman’s hate:
to give her deserting lover a bill down to the penny—
for every night spent together.
There is the hate of a childless beauty
who looks into baby carriages
just to find blemishes on babies....
There are no limits to human zeal.
The more light, the more intense the shadows,
the more sorrow, the sharper the laughter.
Whoever has hell in their heart
can’t abide the joys of others.
From this day on,
child, avoid these cheerless
souls. But it’s better for us to walk a little further
into the woods. There tiny garter snakes
have just been born near a stream.
Don’t fear them—they don’t bite.
(Their home sweet home
is last year’s rotten leaves).