Dzmitryi
Semchanka

Dzmitryi Semchanka, a journalist and a TV presenter, worked in the presidential press corps at the ANT (All-National Television) state-owned TV channel. In August 2020, Semchanka resigned in protest against the violent crackdown on the peaceful demonstrations.

In 2022, Dzmitry was arrested under an administrative charge, but was never released from prison after serving his sentence. Semchanka was later sentenced to three years in prison.

Find Dzmitry’s current address on his  PERSONAL PAGE at the Viasna Human Rights Center website. Click  SEND A POSTCARD  to support him and sign a postcard for the political prisoner.

Three steps

Three steps

 

Three steps to the door — that is my walk,

And then — sideways to the bunk.

What will it take to see you again,

How many of my steps?

 

I don’t know, but I always make

Three steps, then three more steps.

My stubborn movement back and forth

Won’t stop as long as I can stand on my feet.

 

I’m not allowed to lie down — it’s okay,

As long as I’m allowed to take three steps.

Here they prey to nearly all Gods:

To Allah, Krishna, Jesus and Loki.

 

And I have faith that I am coming to the place 

Where our roads eventually meet.

The paths of our two intertwined destinies

Get closer with my every three steps.

 

Translated by Hanna Komar 

In language and poems, in bright people that are in dark places, — Belarus Lives.

Dzmitryi
Semchanka

Dzmitryi Semchanka, a journalist and a TV presenter, worked in the presidential press corps at the ANT (All-National Television) state-owned TV channel. In August 2020, Semchanka resigned in protest against the violent crackdown on the peaceful demonstrations.

In 2022, Dzmitry was arrested under an administrative charge, but was never released from prison after serving his sentence. Semchanka was later sentenced to three years in prison.

Find Dzmitry’s current address on his  PERSONAL PAGE at the Viasna Human Rights Center website. Click  SEND A POSTCARD  to support him and sign a postcard for the political prisoner.

Three steps

Three steps

 

Three steps to the door — that is my walk,

And then — sideways to the bunk.

What will it take to see you again,

How many of my steps?

 

I don’t know, but I always make

Three steps, then three more steps.

My stubborn movement back and forth

Won’t stop as long as I can stand on my feet.

 

I’m not allowed to lie down — it’s okay,

As long as I’m allowed to take three steps.

Here they prey to nearly all Gods:

To Allah, Krishna, Jesus and Loki.

 

And I have faith that I am coming to the place 

Where our roads eventually meet.

The paths of our two intertwined destinies

Get closer with my every three steps.

 

Translated by Hanna Komar 

In language and poems, in bright people that are in dark places, — Belarus Lives.