Don’t Give Up Ines
Don’t give in to age my Ines
to different moves and habits
Because your room is still warm
Cozy setting and rarities
You had better taste than me
Your room splendor
Your landlady in the hospital
You were always distinctive
by the colour of your letters, by the gifts
She walked me, the next morning around nine, to the station
And a green bus chased by autumn wind
Like a leaf, going down a Belgrade slope
Wearing my evening suit I am surrounded by stares
Don’t give up, my youth, don’t give up Ines
our acquaintance was long due
and then by chance, with hot rakija
and with just a few lines, a wish badly hidden
Your way is ladylike and your cheeks rustic
My bumpkin and my gentlewoman
Then your breasts, bed
And my room hanging in the air like orange
Like an orange lamp under the green and blue waters of Zagreb
in Proleterskih brigada 39. beside Grković
Wet street further from the window and evening trolleys buzzing
Beautiful moments of nostalgia, love and poverty
Using communal bathroom
and “Please if someone asks about me”
Do not give up Ines
Here I am getting up only to turn the record over
Is that rude in a moment like this
Mozart Requiem Agnus Dei
I still prefer the beginning
I have access to another million of hers
and naughty data from our youth
That, right there in front of our eyes, deceives us, and robs us, and leaves us
Don’t give up Ines
Tear up the invitation, cancel the dinner, cheat on your husband
on your way for a hairdo in some better hotel
Touch me under the table with your knee
My generation, lover
I know that there will still be youths
But not another one like this – on average 1938
I won’t have anyone to stay young with if all of you get old
And that youth will be difficult for me
But in the end you must be right
Because I am on this shore
that you’ve left and surrendered half-heartedly
And the rain is starting again
the way it rains in November in the islands
Lead sea and pine sky
Distant voices in the mix
Voice of a friend’s mother, daughter, lover, boat, brother
rapidly picked up clothes before the rain
And the light disappeared with the whiteness
A bit more of walking by the sea and that’s it
Do not give up Ines
Arsen Dedic
