x

Aged eleven, I was sent to meet Putin’s daughter.

She was a year or so younger. Smiling, she invited me

To go out for a ride with her. Two white horses were provided.

She of course rode brilliantly, but I was pretty good

And we had an exhilarating ride. Passionate at that age,

I fell in love with her, as Dante did when he set eyes on Beatrice,

As when as a dancer, I fell in love with Russians and with Russia.

x

From The Runiad, Book 5