Нельзя фотографировать: The last year of the Soviet Union

Horseradish and black bread sandwiches

  linger after warm beer and vodka –

bought with – or in spite of – талоны.

Bulldozer music with cockroach percussion –

  nothing built or razed

  just played.

Up Тверская sits Зоя Петровна

  saving final months of Soviet stamps.

Women warm three hour queues –

  hope decorated in gossipy fear.

Мясо is just that – only that

  best not to ask.  But best to just

  have суп.

Trains are officially on time but

  no one forgets the sixty hour

  overnight from Ленинград.