Curriculum Vitae Poem by Eugenijus Ališanka

I was born hungry
graduated from the game of hopscotch
certified melancholic
all my life I've been a day laborer
most prestigious job - a pickpocket's
briefly, I worked as an acolyte for one god
and then as a pine-box carpenter for another
at present I do seasonal work as a writer
I live alone with a wife and son
I've launched more books than I've written
issued dozens of requisitions
appeals and appliqués
several apologies
this year one to a traffic cop
received a prize from the cultural ministry
I am the laureate of the train marathon
I should request a job to match my specialty
something grounded earthy
maybe as a shepherd
with a reed-pipe for my salary