On the capital square
children, running, exit a kindergarten,
pattering, demand a circus.
The people write an open letter to a president,
demanding a circus
with non-poisonous snakes,
dancing bears
and gentle tigers.
The president, immediately stops buying weapons
and assigns all the military budget for a circus.
But suddenly, war restarts
and the construction is halted.

The media reports on the city without a circus,
observers from international organizations nod
and promise to do something about this.
Delegates from neighboring countries come in person,
and those from distant countries promise their support
and send snakes, bears and tigers,
which – sadly – roam the city streets
and turn their backs to the sun,
waiting for the unexpected war to end.

That is how during a truce,
each new generation,
along with snakes, bears and tigers,
fighting for the right to have a circus,
pattering loudly, refilling the noise of silenced missiles.

_ Translated by Pawel Sakowski