Nauts

• Main Authors: Ivica Prtenjača, V.B.Z. Translation Workshop
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: University of Zadar 2021-06-01
• Series: [sic]
• Online Access: http://www.sic-journal.org/ArticleView.aspx?aid=667

when we were astronauts in trainingCHAR(13) + CHAR(10) we spun around at a breakneck speedCHAR(13) + CHAR(10) in a shining sphere in the darkCHAR(13) + CHAR(10) until our eyes ended upCHAR(13) + CHAR(10) on the other side of everything when we were cosmonauts in training CHAR(13) + CHAR(10) we had to endure with a smile CHAR(13) + CHAR(10) the pin that pricked the left side of our chestsCHAR(13) + CHAR(10) the pin that bore the badge of a heroCHAR(13) + CHAR(10) combusting in flamesCHAR(13) + CHAR(10) somewhere far away when we were astronauts in trainingCHAR(13) + CHAR(10) our lady friendsCHAR(13) + CHAR(10) our future wives had to smile andCHAR(13) + CHAR(10) tap their fingers on a burnt down cigaretteCHAR(13) + CHAR(10) their hands, red nails andCHAR(13) + CHAR(10) the soft arm of a child intertwined when we were cosmonauts in trainingCHAR(13) + CHAR(10) we had to sing with othersCHAR(13) + CHAR(10) eat with the chosen ones and dance as ifCHAR(13) + CHAR(10) we’re already floating in a capsuleCHAR(13) + CHAR(10) through the depths of dark when we were astronauts in trainingCHAR(13) + CHAR(10) we were told we must believe CHAR(13) + CHAR(10) in ourselves and the future that was already thereCHAR(13) + CHAR(10) that we had to go out thereCHAR(13) + CHAR(10) that we were the best of all of thoseCHAR(13) + CHAR(10) who stood around us and now clapped CHAR(13) + CHAR(10) we climbed the cross aloneCHAR(13) + CHAR(10) that’s how mad we’d gone when we were cosmonauts in trainingCHAR(13) + CHAR(10) good old earth do not cry we said CHAR(13) + CHAR(10) good old earth do not be afraid CHAR(13) + CHAR(10) the days passed ohCHAR(13) + CHAR(10) stay put do not budgeCHAR(13) + CHAR(10) this is between us and the future CHAR(13) + CHAR(10) between our capsule swirlingCHAR(13) + CHAR(10) along the edge of what CHAR(13) + CHAR(10) can only meanCHAR(13) + CHAR(10) you’ll never see us againCHAR(13) + CHAR(10) when we were in trainingCHAR(13) + CHAR(10) we drove in the sunCHAR(13) + CHAR(10) by the lake where the fishermen cast theirCHAR(13) + CHAR(10) shoulders into the sludgeCHAR(13) + CHAR(10) and muddy watersCHAR(13) + CHAR(10) through the crowns in which the dry leaves CHAR(13) + CHAR(10) quiveredCHAR(13) + CHAR(10) when we were in trainingCHAR(13) + CHAR(10) we were already dying of boredom and the prospectCHAR(13) + CHAR(10) of chasms in our livesCHAR(13) + CHAR(10) we found ourselves besideCHAR(13) + CHAR(10) a very old dogCHAR(13) + CHAR(10) it’s Rufus you saidCHAR(13) + CHAR(10) it’s LaikaCHAR(13) + CHAR(10) I tried to cheer you up and then came a woman strapped with a bombCHAR(13) + CHAR(10) stood between us and set herself offCHAR(13) + CHAR(10) the vacuum sucked up all the bloomCHAR(13) + CHAR(10) all the sudden future and our running had to stop when we were astronauts in trainingCHAR(13) + CHAR(10) when we were cosmonauts in trainingCHAR(13) + CHAR(10) the training lacked somethingCHAR(13) + CHAR(10) only the ferns grew around usCHAR(13) + CHAR(10) as we sat back into the evening splatteredCHAR(13) + CHAR(10) with mudCHAR(13) + CHAR(10) large concrete blocks crumbling downCHAR(13) + CHAR(10) and a cloud of dust and ashes rising into a very dark night and then came a woman strapped with a bombCHAR(13) + CHAR(10) with a fair face and a fixed gazeCHAR(13) + CHAR(10) she set herself offCHAR(13) + CHAR(10) and so it goes on for this whole afternoonCHAR(13) + CHAR(10) the nightCHAR(13) + CHAR(10) the uncertain morning in a vacuumCHAR(13) + CHAR(10) Rufus has lost a legCHAR(13) + CHAR(10) Laika is deadCHAR(13) + CHAR(10) we have to accept itCHAR(13) + CHAR(10) while on our facesCHAR(13) + CHAR(10) in the dust the bluish images flash CHAR(13) + CHAR(10) the flame and great cloudsCHAR(13) + CHAR(10) of ashes rise up in the endCHAR(13) + CHAR(10) into that vast spaceCHAR(13) + CHAR(10) and finally finally