Cellmate

Cellmate
(To Alex Grant who once served in a Russian Prison)
By Tatiana Pahlen

A peppy ray – the first spring envoy,
with uproar peeped into the window
and aroused the jail's backyard.
A midge awakened by the blinding rays,
eagerly bites the prickly bars
Scent of a wet birch bud
reaching the limits of its heights;
all gives an excitement to weakened wings
upon the rustle of steamy dreams.
Rusty bars will open up;
the midge will unite with golden dust
to fly toward a foggy dream,
leaving behind a forgotten past.