Elena Prendjova is a poet, a slam performer and a poetry
translator. She holds an M.A. in Philology Science and
a B.A. in English Language and Literature. She works
as an ESP teacher, an educator and mentor of creative
writing and slam poetry workshops. She is the author
of 9 full-length poetry collections and the editor of the
“Anthology of the Macedonian slam poetry”. Prendjova
was the 2016 national representative at the European
Slampionship. She was a grantee of the 2015 monthly
writer’s residency in Tirana, Albania financed by the
Traduki Network and the Ministry of Culture of
Albania, as well as the grantee of the 2019 i-Portunus
and Creative Europe performing arts residency in Tartu,
Estonia and Maribor, Slovenia; and a grantee of the
2020 READ Writer’s and Translator’s Residency Program
in Belgrade, Serbia.
WE USED TO BUILD WORLDS
1.
we used to build worlds
we used to
burn down stereotypes
with a single glance
we used to fire up
the cold and the dark
our breaths used to cuddle
with the scent of the air
in the clinch
of the OCD trepidation
we used to live
the peace
and the tranquility
we used to
be able to do a lot
we used to
grant ourselves verses
and make up rhymes
that we were taught in school
have no natural sonority
yet
we found it instinctive
yet
we found it innate
yet
we found it loving
we used to build worlds
we used to
be able to do a lot
we used to think
we could do the impossible
don’t you remember
we used to build worlds
when did we
why did we
forget all about it?
2.
we used to build worlds
we used to take pride
in erasing the blurred
lines of life
we used to dwell under
each other’s skin
we used to advance
mature and win
we used to
be naively compassionate
we used to
love each other genuinely
experienced lovers
as we are
yet we used to
fall in love unconditionally
we used to
be able to do a lot
I wonder if
ever
again
love would be able to
drive us crazy
I wonder if
ever
again
we would be able to
love so passionately
and if so
I wonder who
3.
we used to build worlds
we used to
improve and upbuild
our personalities
we used to
TIME HAS PASSED…
AND WHERE TO
(FROM NOW ON)?
build and rebuild
anything
it’s all forgotten now
everything’s ruined now
we are but ruins now
time has passed…
I have lost track of it
ice has melted down
rain has dried out
spring has come
the city has become vivacious and loud
time has passed…
I have lost track of it
I still consult
the same bus timetable
I run for the very bus
that drove me to you
I take the fare
to the very same bus stop
I sit on the bench
in your block’s park
I shiver
eager to see you
I shiver
of fear of you walking on by
and I dry my tears out
time has passed…
I have lost track of it
I reappear
on your block
and with a heavy pace
I step back
careful
not to approach
the doorstep
careful
not to overstep
time has passed…
I have lost track of it
once
I used to be welcomed there
once
I used to be at home
there
on the other side
of the city
once
that home was our temple
ever since
time has passed…
I have lost track of it
yet, I still take the ride
to the very same bus stop
yet, I still sit on the bench
in your block’s park
perhaps
the next frost
shall send me away
perhaps the next snow
shall blow me astray
Elena Prendjova
English translations by the author
