Clean Thursday

Not far from Grozny on an alternate railroad track there is an old steam locomotive with several wagons attached to it The steam engine gives steam hot water is in the boilers and a bathhouse is equipped in the cars where soldiers and officers wash laundry is washed A washing on wheels at the same time a soldiers bivouac a piece of peaceful life and the beginning of a new road To this locomotive these cars come platooned in batches and one at a time tired tired unshaven angry Russian guys They scrape dirt off themselves Soak from stubborn soot warm with souls They put on clean underwear They drink vodka They smoke They talk about love remember loved ones and native places Cry They sing And around the landscape after the battle Its not over yet An accidental explosion Stray bullet And our guys washed into the unknown Clean Hoping to survive