I DON'T KNOW

The text "I Don't Know" by Olena Hapieieva, translated by John Freedman with Natalia Bratus, portrays a series of fragmented thoughts and observations in the midst of the ongoing war in Ukraine. The narrator wakes up in a peaceful monastery in France but is immediately confronted with news of violence, death, and destruction. Amidst the chaos, the narrator attends to daily routines, cares for her children, learns French, and reminisces about personal experiences. The text interweaves moments of mundane life with the grim reality of war, raising questions about the impact on individuals and society. The narrator contemplates the atrocities committed by the "Ruscists" and the toll the war takes on both soldiers and civilians. The text ends with tender moments of affection for the children, juxtaposed with a fierce sense of frustration and anger towards the situation.