After Visiting a ‘Literary Society’

We are cultured: we clean our teeth,

Mouth, and both boots.

In letters, we are especially polite:

“Your most obedient servant.”

 

So then, why do we end

Any kind of debate—

like weak fools —

Imitating Papuans

And beating each other on the snouts?

True, it is usually through words,

But they smart just the same.

russian