Under the Sign of Wolves

On the highway just outside of town
They found horses with torn throats
Harnessed to an empty wagon

And on the top of a mulberry tree
A merchant changed into a white sheep

All night the wolves danced
Around the fruit tree reeking of human flesh

You would have known how to haggle
With those long-tailed dancers
My grandmother tells me

I stare into her pointed teeth
And try to puzzle out her laughter

Then I run into the backyard
Climb the snow-covered pear tree
And practice my howling

(Translated by Charles Simic)