***[For all] Poem by Doris Kareva

For all
who have gone astray at sea,
for all
who have spilled the day,
I pray tonight
in the fading light of the candles,
from a tiring heart's
last pain and power I pray.

Come,
tramps, crooks and cripples,
vagabonds and courtesans,
chiromancers and pimps,
loafers, liars, junkies,
bums, boozers and prodigals;
you, the frightened, the hungry, the cold,
you, who were born unfathered,
you, turned down by the world,
you, who've been lost and despaired for so long —
you'll get the softest beds for rest
tonight.

For you I will set the table,
fine wines and delicious dishes —
come.
I shall recognize you,
there must be some of your blood in mine...
Only for one, the gate will fall silent.

Sadist, you are a stranger to me.

Translated by Doris Kareva and Andres Aule