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Poetry

The Gift

by Volha Hapeyeva

"5th and Markwood" by Madelaine Kobe
"5th and Markwood" by Madelaine Kobe

he bought her a dress
as a farewell present
on his birthday

whether she still wears it
I wonder

my own dresses I buy myself
gifts are a strange practice
particularly those from men

perhaps because of Lévi-Strauss?
I was a present myself for so long

giving and receiving
and receiving so as to give away
a symbolic void
binds us

in place of men and women
we exchange their stories
with the hope
of becoming — at least — distant
relatives

Appeared in Issue Spring '20

Volha Hapeyeva

Nationality: Belarusian

First Language(s): Russian
Second Language(s): English, Belarusian

More about this writer

Piece Patron

Das Land Steiermark

Listen to Volha Hapeyeva reading "The Gift".

Supported by:

Land Steiermark: Kultur, Europa, Außenbeziehungen
Stadt Graz