ZA NESHVAĆENE

Tražim pomilovanje
za neshvaćene
koji ne umeju da premoste
ni kapilarskih razdaljina
do majke i sina,
do svakodnevne stvari proste;
za one koji ostaju strani
rukama što ih drže u naručju,
suncu pred kojim se sve razdani,
sobnoj, kao košulja bliskoj, tami.

Za sopstvene duše tamničare,
za radosti svojih trovače,
za one što viču kad im se plače,
kad u nežnosti greznu,
što uhode sebe kao tuđina,
za puškarnice srca njina,
za svačiju dušu zatvorenu
i opreznu.

Desanka Maksimović, 1964

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FOR EACH OF YOU

Be who you are and will be
learn to cherish
that boisterous Black Angel that drives you
up one day and down another
protecting the place where your power rises
running like hot blood from the same source
as your pain.

When you are hungry
learn to eat
whatever sustains you
until morning
but do not be misled by details
simply because you live them.

Do not let your head deny
your hands
any memory of what passes through them
not your eyes
nor your heart
everything can be used
except what is wasteful
(you will need
to remember this when you are accused of destruction.)
Even when they are dangerous examine the heart of those machines you hate
before you discard them
and never mourn the lack of their power
lest you be condemened
to relieve them.
If you do not learn to hate
you will never be lonely
enough
to love easily
nor will you always be brave
although it does not grow any easier.

Do not pretend to convenient beliefs
even when they are righteous
you will never be able to defend your city
while shouting.

Remember whatever pain you bring back
from your dreaming
but do not look for new gods
in the sea
nor in any part of a rainbow
Each time you love
love as deeply as if were
forever
only nothing is
eternal.

Speak proudly to your children
where ever you may find them
tell them
you are offspring of slaves
and your mother was
a princess
in darkness.

Audre Lorde, 1968