Marijan Alaniz

It is a rare moment indeed when I discover some astounding contemporary Croatian poetry.

(I am mostly used to words like 'cunt' rhyming with 'whiskey' - as in case of this poetry competition I participated in some ten years back; this was the winner.)

So, without any further ado, Marijan Alaniz in English, translated by myself:

MY SUMMER

The scent of rancid figs announced the death of yet another summer. And they say, only what is dead is truly ours. It is but memory that can boast eternity and always visit what it remembers. This is why I shall bid good-bye to summer with a smile, summer soon to become just mine. I am already looking forward to our meetings when we are alone, without any disturbance. My summer and me, me and my summer, and when all have left, there will be the two of us.

¢ 2000

I LOVE YOU NOW AND THEN

I love you now and then

and don't be sad to hear this confession.

I don't think there is love

that lasts for more than a moment.
This after all wouldn't be love,
perhaps habit at best..
Feeling is born and lives in the moment
of its existence.

And the moment is forever.

I love you now and then
and whoever says that because of this
I don't love you – is lying!
This awareness of momentariness
affords this splendid opportunity
to fall in love with you again,
each time differently
and every time as if for the first time.
Whoever says they love differently,
blending moments into one,
loves insipidly and
takes love lightly..
As if it were here to last for good,
as if we were meant to have it.

And so, please allow me
to love you now and then,
leaving the time in between these moments
just to me,
so I can imagine this moment
when I will fall for you again.

¢ 15 Nov 2000