ISSUE: Fall 2011
I was born hungry
graduated from the game of hopscotch
certified melancholic
all my life I’ve been a day laborer
most prestigious job—a pickpocket
briefly, I worked as an acolyte for one god
and then as a pine-box carpenter for another
at present I do seasonal work as a writer
I live alone with a wife and son
I’ve launched more books than I’ve written
issued dozens of requisitions
appeals and communiqués
several apologies
this year one to a traffic cop
received a prize from the ministry of culture
I am the laureate of the train marathon
I should request a job to match my specialty
something grounded earthy
maybe as a shepherd
with a fife for my salary
—Translated from Lithuanian by Kerry Shawn Keys and the author
