Announce by Susan Tepper

If you could somehow announce your arrivals. But of course that’s ridiculous. You are a soldier mostly in hiding. When you come to my house is that a form of hiding. I take in your warmth without comment. Afraid if I make a clamor you will find a reason to leave early. I’m old now. All our doings will no longer make a child, dear Petrov. You were gone when I had to bury the one. That slope on the hill. I visit less and less. Too much dredged-up pain. Do you believe the fortune-teller’s words. Planned in advance she said. I could scarcely breathe. Had to loosen my top collar button. By whom was it planned that my child should die. My milk was flowing. I held the tiny thing to my breast then rocked its cradle.

Winter Landscape

Russian Winter
1827 Nikifor Krylov