Does Your Hand Shake, Vladimir? (9781838080099)

Description

On the 19th day after Russian’s invasion of Ukraine, Norwegian poet and filmmaker Odveig Klyve posted a spontaneous poem addressed to Putin online. Two months later, it had spurred over 100 translations and variations in 70 tongues from people across the world. This book records the phenomenon.

All profit made on the book will be donated to Sunflower Scotland, an organisation based in Edinburgh who provide aid in Ukraine. Learn more by visiting their website.

Skjelv Du På Handa, Vladimir?
Odveig Klyve
translated by Kenneth Steven

Does your hand shake
today, Vladimir,
as you lift the cup
to your mouth,
when they tell you
thousands upon thousands have died
at your command
on the nineteenth day of the war.
Does your hand shake
when they tell you
ninety children have been killed,
and hundreds injured
by bullets and bombs.
Does your hand shake
when they say that thousands
of your own are dead –
these young soldiers,
almost children themselves.
Does your hand shake
when you hear
that hospitals are bombed,
that old men and women
are killed
as they flee,
that some have bled to death
while you drink
your morning coffee.
Does your hand shake
Vladimir Vladimirovich
as you lift your cup;
as you flee
from humanity.