The Fear Factor didn't let us live,
but it let me exist
for thirty-one years of my life.

We were all born in it:
Politicians and philosophers,
doctors and lawyers,
teachers and students...

We were all liberals*
not by choice,
but by The Fear Factor.

Once, my father told me a story
about a man, who trusted his shadow.

When he was walking home alone
on a remote country path,
the shadow chocked him to death.
His path was the only witness
of this twisted madness, -
of how sometimes a man's shadow
turns against the man. Unfortunately,
the path doesn't talk.

It was a very impressive story to listen to
on November's sturdy evenings.

Later, I understood clearly
my father's metaphoric meaning.
He tried to teach me in his own way,
how to live my life:
if you want to trust your shadow,
look for the bright worlds.

When I was a child,
I loved to draw pictures.
I desperately wanted to be an artist.

Once, I was drawing Lenin's sketch,
my grandfather saw it and lost his temper,
he tore Lenin's face to small pieces, screaming:
Don't bring evil energy to our house,
we are already punished by God!

My grandfather was old and cranky,
he was miserably tired of The Fear Factor.

Now, I remember him
as the sweetest guy on earth.

Because of my grandfather,
I didn't become an artist, lost and controlled
by The Fear Factor.
                              
liberals* - extremists of left view