Jacek Kaczmarski - Zakopywanie głowy

(Impressions on an AFP photograph seen in Polityka, 29.2.2000)

A proper fair carries no importance 
without the necessary site of execution. 
The real bouquet of existence 
needs the sharp spice of abomination. 
A counter, gambling den and chapels 
and scaffold: that's life at its fullest. 
For full life's worth – death's paid tithes: 
there's a chaplain, the pit, and the sacrifice. 
A lush branch of man's neck welcomes 
The Tree of Knowledge all but sapless. 
A nameless blade will cut it down 
in cheerful clamour of the living requiem. 
We give remembrance to the middle ages... 

today perished another Chechen. 
Carrying, in disgust, his head on a spade 
- that's just another Russian private. 
The head of the Baptist, and Charlemagne's, 
of Danton's and of Thomas More's. 
In ravenous ground he'll bury it, 
and with it – its vain utopiae. 
As long as utopia's off the neck - 
it'll do well – on the market. 
The fair is on, without an act of execution
Life's taste would be low resolution