MIKLOs RADNOTI
Fragment
I lived upon this earth in such an age
when man had grown so ferocious
he killed for pleasure, not just on command,
believing lies and foaming with mistaken strife:
wild obsessions curled around his life.
I lived upon this earth in such an age
when to betray was virtuous and the murderer,
the traitor and the robber were the hero-
and the one perhaps mute and slow for the cause,
already they loathed him, like the diseased.
I lived upon this earth in such an age
when those who raised their voices had to hide,
had to bite their fists in shame,-
the country went berserk and bared its teeth
at horrible destiny, drunk from blood and filth.
I lived upon this earth in such an age
when the mother's child became a curse
and a woman was happy if she miscarried,
the living envied the spoiling grave-dead,
while on the table thick poison bubbled.
I lived upon this earth in such an age
when even the poet could only fall silent
and wait, hoping judgment would sound again–
because none could say worthy curses anyway ,
except the scholar of terrible words, Isaiah.
