PreparationsPeople protect statues
from the line of fire:
the first layer—a soft jacket
so the stone can breathe,
next—mineral wool,
a fireproof coat;
the most precious they take down from steeples, plinths, and crosses
to stow in bunkers.
These creatures of blood and bone,
of live tissue and nerves,
try to shelter ancient sculptures—
their bacchantes, goddesses, queens, and saints,
their defenseless guardian angels.
from the line of fire:
the first layer—a soft jacket
so the stone can breathe,
next—mineral wool,
a fireproof coat;
the most precious they take down from steeples, plinths, and crosses
to stow in bunkers.
These creatures of blood and bone,
of live tissue and nerves,
try to shelter ancient sculptures—
their bacchantes, goddesses, queens, and saints,
their defenseless guardian angels.
March 5-6, 2022
(translated by Karen Kovacik)
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Przygotowania
Ludzie zabezpieczają
posągi przed ostrzałem:
pierwsza warstwa – miękka otulina,
żeby kamień oddychał,
druga – wełna mineralna,
ognioodporny płaszcz;
najcenniejsze zdejmują z wież, cokołów, krzyży
i chowają w bunkrach.
Istoty z krwi i kości,
z żywych tkanek, nerwów,
próbują chronić stare rzeźby,
swoje boginie, bachantki, królowe i święte,
swoich bezbronnych aniołów stróżów.
