THE HANDSOMEST
(A Railroad Station for two)

web | Bravado

So small-just for two
and nobody else willing to join.
Even no one to tell you
how precious your soul is.
All trains go roundabout here.
It takes a miracle
to stop the Express
for short repairs.
If you smuggle yourself
into it, as a luxury passenger,
(with no ticket at all),
you have to expect
the comptroller to find you
at any time.

Meanwhile, the train will keep on flying
just like that - without stopping.
Life will pass by you seen
through a window.
Beautiful women you'll bypass,
as well as charming landscapes,
glamorous railroad stations,
and Merry Holidays...
All the way to the last station.

You'll go five steps down.
The heavenly barriers
will go up... you'll go across.
......................... And if there
(as the tale goes on),
a man becomes as beautiful
as his soul, you'll be the handsomest.
And everybody will love you.

© Maxim Maximov
© Bojidara Pavlova, translated from Bulgarian
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© LiterNet Publishing House, 23.02.2021
Maxim Maximov. Bravado. Varna: LiterNet, 2021

Other publications:
Maxim Maximov. Bravado. Los Angeles: Triumvirate Publications, 1999.