and leave Minsk

"Go away, rat!"

the crowds chanted.

take your fleas

and water cannons,

thieving thugs

and their night sticks

and police vans,

and leave Minsk.

leave, and take the

oppressor's grip along with you,

the fingers stained by deceit.

"Go away, rat!"

the crowds chanted.

but leave the colors white-red-white

for the people of Belarus,

for the many neighbors in the neighborhoods,

for the mothers who gave you birth

when your cries were for a universe lifting its' face toward the stars

and your fathers who gave you birth

so that you might breathe free, learning to laugh.

"Go away, rat!"

the far shore is closer than it seems.