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Before the Wake After У гроба (“Beside the Bier”, 1904) by Russian Symbolist poet, Innokenty Annensky (1855-1909) Mirrors gleam whitely in an Apartment swept and clean. Stately as a steed under a Fly sheet stands the grand piano. During visiting hours yesterday, Death left the doors wide open. Time has long ceased to be Torn off the calendar - but Parlour, kitchen, bedroom Clocks tick on regardless. Hushed in the corner: Fool’s pig-bladder of an oxygen bag, Blue-lipped cannula - Eyeless, agog at the final agony. In a funk-trance of disgust, I peel back the shroud - As if I were Certifying the death. Horror - then Bewilderment: Is Being’s mystery Already at home in the Vacated sanctuary of a Face so alien? Free adaptation from the Russian: ©Jan Peters/Solivagant Wisdom, 2025