By Keston Sutherland, from Whither Russia, which was published last year by Barque Press. 

I look down on you, stars of my depression,

Since your shining is so domineering,

Lighting up the drowning, their distresses,

Slaves alike to God and to his humans:

You don’t love and never will know how to.

Unstoppable hours permanently follow

Your lead across the false distended heaven.

What trials they have already got through

Since in the real embrace of my beloved

I forgot them and outlived their midnight.