only a year is left just one year
until he can cross the shoe-scraped threshold
and beyond the dark walls covered in lice and fleas
he will see the world like snow
in diamonds and tears

a lofty dream hangs on lindens and oaks
who gave himself up waving a white flag
who like an obedient bird finishes his flight
through several thousands of years
or merely a few years

a great current will take the small stream
my soul will sigh for the prison walls
for the shared ration for the typhoidal mattress
for the restless sleep
torn apart by the bell

the last bell will rouse the first ring
only a step is left reminding us
only a year is left it’s time to come together
in diamonds and tears
waving white flags