Water in water

If only I ‘d had this wit

When I was much younger

I would have possessed knowledge of birds, plants

and of minerals

I’d have spoken languages

and understood people.

If only I had been wise

to tell lies through silence

to hold back by making statements

I’d have been able to persevere

to leave behind

to break out.

If only I had been of my present age then

I’d been able to tell price from value

to love the dawn

and the mighty skills the silence possesses

If only I ‘d had this wits

When I was much younger –

I would have been a monster.

Miroslav Gakić – 2025