“Vietnam”
Wislawa Szymborska
1923- Polish
translated by Magnus J. Krynski and Robert A. Maguire

Woman, what's your name? -- I don't know.
When were you born, where do you come from? -- I don't know.
Why did you dig a hole in the ground? -- I don't know.
How long have you been hiding here? -- I don't know.
Why did you bite the hand of friendship? -- I don't know.
Don't you know we will do you no harm? -- I don't know.
Whose side are you on? -- I don't know.
There's a war on, you must choose. -- I don't know.
Does your village still exist? -- I don't know.
Are these your children? -- Yes.