Liturgical

I.

I remember how I fell
on the kitchen floor
and cried like a child
as if in the middle of the store
twenty years ago
while you were warming your wine,
dripping tears, I slaughtered
half a flock
of God’s lambs,
I really missed the silence

II.

the butcher shop girl
was far too pretty,
let me know if you need any help,
as she cleaned the clots of red wine

III.

in truth, I am a little wolf
in white, outgrown clothing

IV.

the sun was shining too brightly that day:
don’t be angry, but most days
are beyond my recall

V.

we stop by in the evening
at five o’clock, after mass
because wine
was thirty percent off:
I’m a child who remembers
a drunk father and the cutting
midwinter sun

VI.

I’ve been warming the same wine
for twenty years now,
I think
I’ve earned
this longing

Translated into English by Rimas Užgiris