A Too Powerful Word

  Ranko Pavlović  (1943) is a Serbian  writer, poet and playwright. He has published 18 poetry books, 17 short stories books, 5 novels, 2 collections of essays, a book of literary criticism and 10 radio dramas for adults, and more than 20 books for children. Represented in textbooks, readings and many anthologies. His poems and short stories have been translated into Italian, Polish, Hungarian, English, Romanian, German, Dutch, Swedish, Russian and other languages. Pavlovi ć  has been rewarded many times for his work, the most recent with  Ivo Andri ć Academy Award  for lifetime achievement. He lives and works in Banja Luka, Republic of Srpska.  At The Reception We hang ourselves on coat racks and our coats go to the guest room to the feast we were invited by the government. The sleeves of our coats toast with crystal glasses, half filled with some pale rheum and hopelessness.   And there, where are supposed to be our heads, the emptiness above the collar nod. When they spill enough th

Danijela Trajković  (1980)  is a Serbian poet, writer, reviewer and translator. Her book “22 Wagons” has been published by The Academy of Arts, Knjazevac, 2018. Her work has been translated into many languages and published in journals, anthologies and newspapers worldwide. She lives and works in Vranje.  Linden Tea We have your linden tea In the balcony that roses Keep from the outside world The sky is ordinary The air of big cities The day loses its strength We don't understand each other fully And you say it would be boring If we did And that your scorn For the one that will have me Is much stronger than the tea. Three Act Death Act I My childhood love killed in war. Act II My two-year-old son most likely has autism. Act III You stopped loving me. 21 Grams                  For S. Lj. My soul tears apart like the threads of a torn dishcloth that umpteen times went through the washing machine and so my soul umpteen times goes through the purga