How cruel you are, Winter —
couldn’t you wait a little longer?
Why didn’t you wait
until the children fell asleep,
their dreams unbroken,
their bellies not empty?
My little ones lie down hungry,
and now —
how could I cover them,
how could I protect them
from your harsh, merciless air?
Can’t you see —
we can no longer see tomorrow
we can’t even weep.
Our tears have turned to salt,
our hearts to smoke.
Can’t you feel
the pain we endure?
Couldn’t you wait
until the sun of faith rose again
to touch the faces
that still believe in warmth?
to come when we are already cold.
