This poem is taken from PN Review 70, Volume 16 Number 2, November - December 1989.

Chernobyl. A Disaster

Donald Davie

Chernobyl: a defecting author.
Overculme: his English translator and at need interpreter.
Dignitary.
Interviewer.
Assassin.

AT THE AIRPORT.

Overculme: Mr Chernobyl is
Tired and despairing. Besides
As a classical poet, he is
In any case sparing of words.
He hopes you will understand.

Interviewer: Sir, while respecting Mr
Chernobyl's unwillingness
At this time to venture
Remarks of a political nature,
Could he favour us with his reaction
...

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