They Lived in Oldish Soviet Times

They lived in oldish Soviet times
With Stalin’s rules on their mind,
Involved in building communism,
Accepting no alternatives.

He was the strongest, fastest boy.
She was the smartest, gentlest girl.
He was  a bit goofy - write her a note
To set a fake date. She’d wait, then go

Distraught, upset, seeing him again
At football game, a silly match.
Some years passed, she turned nineteen.
They met, then movie, then some tea.

He was all grown, serious,
With little smirk on handsome face.
She was a pretty, happy youth.
On the first of May they fell in love.

The speed of things, the dizziness,
Confessing deepest heart content.
They set a day to figure how
They’d move away for marriage vows.

She sparked her dormitory room,
Awaiting for her future groom,
But, as in childhood's cruel set up,
That Thursday he didn’t show up.

She’d find his neighbours - not a word,
The former classmates – same result.
She’s going crazy, waits and waits
For him to stop that foolish game,

Yet knowing – something is amok.
Did he decide to break apart?
He did not love her? Why not say?
Where is he then until today?

Some years passed. No notes, no calls.
She’s twenty four, she’s not alone.
Her tiny baby was just born,
She pushes carriage, walks along

The crispy snow on a sidewalk,
And sees at a distance, like in a fog,
Familiar figure. This is him! O, Jesus!
But wait, what’s wrong? The paleness…

His green is so faint, strange looking clothes…
O, god! They meet, they look almost
Ready to scream, to cry, but only say
In silent stance: "Hello." – "Hey."

"Where were you? I did search for you!
Why didn’t you come? This baby could be yours."
"I was in GULAG… Taken that same night,
Right at your door. I came for you. Decide."

They walked together, hand in hand
Across the town, then to the other end.
They set a day when he will come for her
With the baby in the carriage and all.

That Thursday he waited on a corner street,
Being in love, impatient yet discreet,
While she was tormented, unable to detach
Her child from its father, so she decided

To let the past go, to confess her love
But was incapable to break the promise
She gave another man, her husband.
This is the whole story and this is the end.