Vasko Popa Quotes

“Sing little box

Don't let sleep overtake you
The world's awake within you

In your four-sided emptiness
We turn distance into nearness
Forgetfulness into memory

Don't let your nails come loose

For the very first time
We watch sights beyond this world
Through your keyhole

Turn your key in our mouths
Swallow words and numbers
Out of your song

Don't let your lid fly open
Your bottom drop

Sing little box”
― Vasko Popa, Vasko Popa: Collected Poems

“Race

Some bite from the others
A leg an arm or whatever

Take it between their teeth
Run out as fast as they can
Cover it up with earth

The others scatter everywhere
Sniff look sniff look
Dig up the whole earth

If they are lucky and find an arm
Or leg or whatever
It's their turn to bite

The game continues at a lively pace

As long as there are arms
As long as there are legs
As long as there is anything”
― Vasko Popa, Vasko Popa: Collected Poems

“I've forged you into stars
Under the vault of my skull”
― Vasko Popa, Vasko Popa: Collected Poems

“Pissenlit

Au bord du trottoir
Au bout du monde
L’œil jaune de la solitude

[Dandelion

On the edge of the pavement
At the end of the world
The yellow eye of loneliness]”
― Vasko Popa, Vasko Popa: Collected Poems