Between Shadows,

a poignant story and poetry that will touch your heart!

 

Irina Dimitric,say:

 

Within the framework of a love story between Anna and Stipa, a love burdened by the animosity of Anna’s father towards the young man and also by the war that breaks out, separating the young lovers with Stipa serving on the frontline, Stjepan Maksimović offers a collection of beautifully crafted poetry and lyrical prose, interspersed with beautiful photographs. The first photo, a graveyard, announces the sad ending; and so does the first poem (He Never Saw His Boy’s First Steps). Was this a witch’s curse? Why does it seem that some people’s lives are cursed? The curse here is not only the relationship with Anna’s father but also the world events they find themselves in. This is a story of a deep love from ‘the first kiss as soft as a snowflake’ (First Love) and the young man feeling ‘like a little donkey laden with desire’ (Tide of Love) to the drama of the wedding day, followed by their loneliness and longing for each other during the war. The letters from Stipa from the frontline are deeply moving; he does not want to talk about the war, he just wants Anna to know how much he loves her and likes to imagine her ‘holding her tomcat, stroking his long ears’ (A Windy Day). Although he perishes on the battlefield, the final poems speak of love – love will prevail.

This is a poignant story that will touch your heart but also make you smile at times. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and am happy to recommend it to readers

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Everything is here

 

Everything is here

Seagulls and the rough sea

And the huge sun

Diving into it

I look around, amazed,

Looking at elongated shadows

Looking for you,

My inspiration

For this poem...

Your arms around my neck

A magical pearl necklace...

And again I can smell

The old bench of ours...

Your lap as my pillow

I can see your glittering eyes

In the blue sky

I can feel the taste

Of your lips

Still wet and salty

My poems are your realm

So is my soul

I have a special verse

For you tonight

The sun is big and round, huge

In amazement I’m looking

At elongated shadows

Coming my way

Looking for yours

I discern it, my love

I’m holding you

In my arms, my angel!

 

 

 

Between shadows part I

 

Between shadows part II