Asking Babushka
Ellen Webre
After Sandra Cisneros
Where are my ancestors buried?
In the jaws of a grey wolf.
How do you see me?
As a doll within a doll.
Where will I find the Domovoi’s magic?
In the stove where Ivan sleeps.
Who teaches your bylinas?
The cat in the cherry tree.
Where are your firebirds?
In the hunter’s rifle.
And where are the horsemen?
In bottles of honey wine.
How deep is the river Volga?
As deep as I say so.
When was blood first spilt on your soil?
It has always been red.
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Cauldron Anthology