Branko

Branko Noć ispod zemlje razveselim

Izraste vetar u nežnu biljku

iz tog podzemlja gde svetiljku

i pticu nikad da doselim

Nepronađene proplanke krvi

i peščano podne sam odbolovo

al topli hleb tvog imena još mrtvim

ptico među predelima, Stražilovo

zemljo preko moga zaspalog uma

dok list po list umire šuma

Dete sakriveno u jednom poljupcu pati

sutra rođeno. O nek se vetar s biljkama izmotava

Neka se kamenje pred nevidljivim raskršćem

uspava

Samo da l će na skeletu osmeh moj prepoznati?

Branko*

Underground night I cheer up

Wind grew into a delicate

plant from that underworld that light

and bird I never migrate

I suffered through

the sandy noon and unknown valley of blood

But warm bread of your name I crumble still

bird among landscapes, Strazilovo*

Land over my sleeping mind

While leaf by leaf forest dies

In one kiss hidden suffers child

Tomorrow born. Oh let wind mess with the plants

Let stone before invisible crossroad dream

Only will they be able to recognize

on the skeleton my grin?

(Translated by Aleksandra Milanović)

* Poem is dedicated to Serbian poet Branko Radicević

** Branko Radicević's remains were buried in Stražilovo.