For Somebody To Be Your Friend

For Somebody To Be Your Friend

He should have a tranquil face saying how
you were together once and how those times glow
beyond all other times.

There should be two women you two have pleased
countless times, whose little laurels of fat
tremble delicately when they smile.

There should also be a beach, a pebbled beach,
and a couple of kids gazing at the pebbles
in astonishment.

And finally two soft beach towels are needed,
soap gliding from hand to hand—you also need
some luck to live to see something like that.

(1995)

Translated by Stephanie Krueger & Sasha Skenderija, 2013

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