Collected poems of the famous Serbian poet Vasko Popa, entitled "El cansancio ajeno" translated by Dubravka Sužnjević, have been recently published by the Autonomous University of Sinaloa and the publishing house "Vaso roto".
This famous and admired poet, a contemporary and the friend of Octavio Paz and Jorge Luis Borges, is considered as one of the greatest poets of 20th century. Unfortunately, until now, the poems of Vasko Popa have never been translated in Mexico, and therefore this publishing and translation venture is truly praiseworthy.
According to the translator Dubravka Sužnjević, "two directions are recognized in his poetry: surrealism and popular folklore, accepting a sense of humor from the former, and a mystery of the puzzles, proverbial tricks, from the latter which has enriched European poetry, reaching out for the deepest literary tradition."
The first book presentation was made at the International Book Fair in Mexico City in February 2013, and the promotion was held at the Autonomous University of Sinaloa on 17 March 2013.
If Not For Your Eyes
If not for your eyes
There would be no sun
In our blind apartment
If it wasn't for your laughter
From the eyes, the walls would
Never vanish
If not for your nightingales
The willows would never
Tenderly cross the doorstep
If not for your hands
The sun would never
Stay a night in our dream