Motherland

What I Must Say

I don’t know why or for whom this is needed,

Who sent them to death with an unshaking hand?

Only so mercilessly, so viciously and needlessly

Were they lowered into Eternal Rest!

The cautious spectators wrapped themselves silently in furs,

And a woman with a distorted face

Kissed the dead man on his bluish lips…

— A. N. Vertinsky