In Valyevo

[ellajam]

Lovely read. A few notes:

We’re in Valyevo
where the river’s low
and easy, where light
falls through shafts in trees the image appeared, but the words stuck, they don't make sense to me
and widows ignite
the stove for coffee.

We slid here by train
(delayed) met with rain
at arrival. We’re
here for your grandma -
her cottage is near.
You’re here for baka. I read through the unknown baka the first time, assuming it might be pastry , but then wiki tells me Japanese insult meaning idiot. It must mean something else, but I need an explanation

This is the house where
she lives, stuffed with air
and cobwebs. You kiss
her photograph, make
the sign of the cross. ah, she's gone
I can’t come in, take

that step through the door;
I don’t know your lore
of spirits, but you
show me the border,
the crossing words. True love this moment
Serb, you fetch water

for coffee, refuse
my help and abuse
my weakness for sweets,
drinks and cigarettes.
Soon, our laughter greets
the walls. We say: Let’s

live like her: hard work,
rakia to perk
our nights of friendly
gossip; conviction beautiful description of the old ways
in vigour, holy
faith, god’s salvation.

Language is not true.
Confined in here, you
and I pretend ‘til
the sun sets. Her bed
is made for sleep. We’ll
admit it: she’s dead.

Thanks for posting, I enjoyed this and plan to again.