Can I Just Have It All ?

''Can I Just Have It All'' is a poem written by amazingly talented young Serbian writer & poet Staša Vukadinović (Stasha Vukadinovic). The poem beautifully explains the world we live in, the influence of the society we are facing in every day life, norms, barriers, restrictions just so we have that feeling that we belong, that we are accepted & to some extend, the fear of showing that beautiful diversity within us just so we are not judged or misunderstood.

Staša's style is extremely sharp, clear & straight to the point. The words she uses make you think, feel & very often recognise yourself in them. As one said, her poems will save the world, so I have no choice then help the world understands them :) .  

Translating from Serbian I always find extremely challenging, due to the depth & the wit of the language, but will do my best to keep Staša's style of expression & the spirit of the language.

Enjoy.

- Can I just have it all?

- What do you mean - ''all''?

- All, just like everything.

- No, not everything, you have to choose the side.

But I want to have it all.

To wake up early

And to fall asleep late at night

To talk nicely

And to swear badly

To live a healthy life

And to party hard

In the nature to live

And the big city to inhale in

To wear girly dresses 

And to dress up as a boy

Bright ones to love

And dark ones even more

Peacemaker to be

And fight strongly until the very end

Blues to listen to

And glasses to break*

Ferrante to adore

But keep Knausgard under my pillow

To have a dog

But hang out with that naughty cat

To carry the sword

But leave my shield behind

To hug gently

And bite strongly

To ride the bike

And possess the car

In the eyes of LOVE realistically to look at 

And for IT sacrifice myself fiercely.

*

*

*

- You can not do that, I say, you have to choose the side.

- Well, that is not coming to my mind. 

*in Serbian culture, when deeply touched by a song, when strong feeling of happiness overcomes, we would break the glass towards the floor or a wall, we call those people ''merakliye'', yes, you do want to have them around you :)

This Is Staša 

Written by Staša Vukadinović 

Edited and translated from the Serbian 

by Mari Lon 

London, November 2018