And why wouldn’t I be afraid of flying,
When my boss, F.A. Malyavyn,
Like a needle always stabbing where it’s sore:
"Oh, - he saying, - poor soul!
They even in Chicago
Had an accident three days ago!..."

At least he should’ve spit: we are people - brothers, after all,
It’s just two of us and not under the red banner, -
But he knows, devil: for the firm, when called
I would go anyhow, on anything and anywhere!

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 

We are in to a restaurant - to ask there for take away, no use,
But we are OK in any case - peace and quiet, - we are waiting, -
The doorman will run in and shout: " Who is on Vilnius!
Calmly continue to drink! "

For me to fly, like a noose and a sharp knife:
Neither smoke, nor drink or eat,
And also - for safety sake, when you fly -
You must buckle up yourself to the seat!

I’m towards the robot: the brain power he has a lot -
I’m standing and smiling like an idiot:
The robot gave me such a reply, cretin!
Unbelievable, - in Yeysk -
Already are the European ways:
Freedom of speech, - but only if obscene.

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

A friend told me - those wouldn’t lie, I bet:
He was seating once, without safety belt,
Suddenly - explosion! But he even ready for that;
Even here he found the way out -
He spread out the quilted jacket
And landed on the flower bed...

 
 
 
 

In vain I’m pulling my hair,
I needlessly worried at all:
If emergency will be in the air -
I ’ll land on Chinese raincoat, when fall!

But, vaguely feeling anxious, -
I remember: I went without a raincoat, -
But what have you done, Catherine, my Catherine!
Only my neighbours, two old hags -
Foisted me food in a string bags,
But the string bags let the air in...

My flight is announced, or is it? I don’t remember,
I’d rather snooze a little - friend, I don’t want to be awake!
But I can hear:" Passengers for November!
Your departure is postponed to May! "

 
 
 
 

You can count me as a complete idiot,
But even there I would fly "Aeroflot":
Over there -goodbye - and into the sky, you like it or not.
And here - sit and get warm:
Always the flight is postponed, -
Though one day, but at least one extra day to live you’ve got!