Imprisoned—we swear to God our faithfulness, Released—we sell for half a ruble all That lay beyond the reach of mortality, What once we vowed eternally to heed.
We promised solemnly, with careful thought, While praying, our past selves we tried to mend, How we would live in quietude forthright, For neighbors live, ourselves not comprehend.
But freedom's scent, sharp and intoxicating, Struck like a blow, induced sudden decay. And all you lived as one who knew God's being Forgot at once—no past, no tears to say.
The barracks vanished, even cells forgotten, The pain forgot, the thirst to know the Lord, Now different thirst, a hunger rot-begotten, Has seized us tight and will not loose its cord.
Forsake me not! Let skin hang torn in tatters And fists be bleeding from the stones once more. Forgive—I come back in the night's dark matters. I cast the net aside and break the snare!
