Vnimaniye, vnimaniye

Look, our children
are playing in the snow;

your son catches it on his
tongue. My daughter
takes it
into her lungs:

we bask beneath its
glow.

“Look, your cheeks are
rosy too.”

They had to shave
her hair to the skin,
and scrubbed her
hands clean in
the basin;

disposed of her jacket,
her dirty shoes.

Vnimaniye, vnimaniye
Our home is empty.

Vnimaniye, vnimaniye
She tries to breathe.

Vnimaniye, vnimaniye
The core is empty.

Vnimaniye, vnimaniye
As are we.