All in Vain
By Mykyta Ryzhykh

Wet cat fur

Burnt human skin

Destroyed apartment building

God's fallen skies

Dogs and people shot in the gateway

Civilization builds towers

You come so close to me that

I learn to remember you

You are a name that cannot exist because you are love

Аnd the shot parachutes of memory kiss the cold sleepy earth

Everything is composed

Everything is known in advance

Known in vain

Snow in vain

Now in vain

Own in vain

Owl in vain

All in vain

Mykyta Ryzhykh  is an author from Ukraine, now living in Tromsø, Norway. Nominated for Pushcart Prize 2023, 2024. Published many times in literary magazines іn Ukrainian and English: Tipton Poetry Journal, Stone Poetry Journal, Neologism Poetry Journal and many others. His chapbook tombboy (Lоst Telegram press) was released in April.