Letter 1. To Gotham

The original is here: http://www.stihi.ru/2016/01/02/1037

This city, they say, needs a hero –
Oh no, not so.
What it needs is a killer,
A traitor,
A deadly foe.
 
Are you ready or not? –
I don’t care, so here I come.
Oh, this city is not asleep.
Can you hear the drum
Of its hungry heart?
It will kill you and eat you whole...
Yet there can be no better place
For my fractured soul.
 
Can you hear me, city?
Oh you, who has shaped my wings –
I have glided above your rooftops,
I’ve seen your sins,
All your darkness and crimes…
I have saved you so many times!
No escape from your clutches –
You know my allegiance lies
Just with you, yet you crush me
For something I’ve never done;
Yet you shatter my armour and heart…
…it is time to run.
 
You, my city, can’t hear me,
You, who has shaped my soul –
You can hear me no more;
Oh my Gotham, I love you so!
I’m so tired and weak –
Count to ten for me,
Let me go.
 
How I wanted to keep you steady,
To bring you light!..
…But hatred is in your eyes,
And it’s burning bright.
Call for me,
Lie to me,
Lure me in;
And again I’ll try
To become what you need –
A menace,
A deadly foe;
Hate me, Gotham,
Destroy me, Gotham.
 
I love you so.