As You Die There in Agony, Brother

Ion Degen

1944

As you die there in agony, brother,
Don’t be calling your comrades in vain.
Let me warm my hands on your body,
Make good use of the blood from your veins.
Stop crying, stop groaning, don’t be a baby.
You’re not wounded. You’re simply dead.
For keepsake, let me take off your felt boots
We still got to attack up ahead.

Translated by
Alexandra
Hof…
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Creator Bio

Ion Degen

1925–2017

Ion Degen was born in Mogilev-Podolski (present-day Ukraine) to parents with medical careers. He was wounded many times during World War II, receiving several decorations. His poem “My Comrade Is in His Final Agony” reflects the deep Soviet patriotism of that generation of Soviet Jews born after the revolution. His encounters with Jewish partisans during the liberation of Vilna in 1944 made a lasting impression on him. Degen devoted the rest of his life to medicine. Disillusioned by Soviet antisemitism, he emigrated in 1977 to Israel, where he published poetry, short stories, and essays. Degen played a major role in publicizing the sacrifice of the five hundred thousand Jews who fought in the Red Army.

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