Notes toward a Ballad by Maja Herman Sekulic

The August sun is intense, I undress

On the beach, sand in my toes

I hold sunrays in my hair.

I take refuge in a café 

On the nameless street

Tired of the heat

White wine goes green in my glass

Sun still fire in the sky.

No shade, no break,

His eyes dance on me,

They burn my skin 

I accept the figs he gives me

They are too soft. 

The coffee is too strong.

And the sun doesn't give up.

And he does not give up. 

And now I lie awake pretending

That he lies awake

And that the whole world is awake

As we were then

In that summer heat

In that café

Without a break.