Contempo- rary Slovenian poetry 2 - Ljudmila
Contempo- rary Slovenian poetry 2 - Ljudmila
Contempo- rary Slovenian poetry 2 - Ljudmila
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I was little,<br />
it was loveliest<br />
in the car, where<br />
we were all within<br />
arm’s reach. The lift<br />
crunched like<br />
a fresh sugar wafer.<br />
We said to the children,<br />
it’s alright, it’s alright,<br />
and really, it didn’t hurt.<br />
Just moments before,<br />
I was grateful for<br />
the experience.<br />
Isaac<br />
8<br />
When Isaac sleeps<br />
I cover his little wings,<br />
I watch him breathe<br />
and smell him<br />
as though he were mine.<br />
When Isaac waves to me<br />
I warn him across the street,<br />
trembling,<br />
as though he were mine.<br />
For I let him go,<br />
touching wood<br />
every day I let him go<br />
among the beasts.<br />
How do I say,<br />
as though I didn’t care,<br />
Isaac, come,<br />
let’s climb the high mountain.<br />
How do I search for a chopping block,<br />
a smooth, clean chopping block<br />
for him.<br />
How do I take a knife<br />
as though I didn’t care,<br />
take a naked, grey knife—<br />
how do I cut him off<br />
so alive.<br />
Isaac, come, let’s go.<br />
The Means<br />
Use ordinary words<br />
and worn-out metaphors<br />
the way I do.<br />
Use betrayed loves<br />
and bloody, limp hands