THEY TRAP THE SHE-WOLF - Vasko Popa

THEY TRAP THE SHE-WOLF

- Vasko Popa (1922-1991)

They trap the she-wolf with
steel jaws stretched from
horizon to horizon

They take the golden mask from her muzzle
And tear the secret grass
From between her haunches

They bind her and set
Tracker and pointer dogs
To defile her

They hack her to pieces
And leave her
To the vultures

With the stump of her tongue the she-wolf catches
Living waters from the jaws of clouds
And puts herself together again

* * *
translated by Anthony Weir from the Serbian of Vasko Popa (1922-1991)