Poetry

  1 Mis|           which he had hoped to be able to show her was swept aside
  2 Mis|         let his mind wander and do absolutely nothing but listen for the
  3 Mis|          the air. She realized how absurd her reaction was. She had
  4 Mis|           a cup of coffee which he accepted stiffly.~The emotion which
  5 Mis|            of tension between them accompanied by worry and suffering which
  6 Mis|        frowned as if from a slight ache and had the impression that
  7 Mis|            caught in some shameful act.~"How is your sister, Pauline?"
  8 Mis|          that there was nothing to add.~He saw what she was thinking
  9 Mis|           children have grown into adolescents. The boys were in a boisterous
 10 Mis|        knew that the wellspring of affection they felt for one another
 11    | against
 12 Mis|            door to the balcony was ajar and he pushed it wide open.
 13 Mis|      another would keep their love alive forever
 14 Mis|           he said with the sort of amazement and satisfaction experienced
 15 Mis|           up her conversation with amusing observations and with vivid
 16 Mis|         all the same," he muttered angrily, "but what can you do?"~"
 17 Mis|           of the day? he wondered, angry at the uninvited guests
 18 Mis|         goodness. Man is a strange animal. No one would ever have
 19 Mis|        apparent than ever from the animation in the streets on that June
 20 Mis|         would write the history of Anna Karenina? Is it the happy
 21 Mis|      without betraying any hint of annoyance. Martin sensed the weariness
 22 Mis|          in the hall. He got up to answer it. It was for Vojsava.
 23 Mis|              It’s a good thing you answered it, at least," she said,
 24 Mis|          to wash away all trace of antagonism or stubbornness.~"I’ll get
 25 Mis|      indeed arrived. This was more apparent than ever from the animation
 26 Mis|           understand how deceptive appearances were and that the essence
 27 Mis|          were tied to their wives’ apron strings.~His whole being
 28 Mis|        everywhere when the subject arose. Martin had said nothing.~
 29    | around
 30 Mis|          visits, he considered the arrival at the door, whoever it
 31 Mis|         able to show her was swept aside by Farouk’s undampened enthusiasm.
 32 Mis|        expression, which seemed to ask, "What would it cost you?"~
 33 Mis|            the children were sound asleep.~The June afternoon gently
 34 Mis|        realized that he was deeply attached not only to his home, his
 35 Mis|     because he simply does not pay attention to details, and still I
 36 Mis|            flowers...~Martin moved awkwardly through the room, not knowing
 37 Mis|      others to parade their excess baggage of jokes. They were the
 38 Mis|       notebook on the buffet and a ballpoint pen next to it. Vojsava’
 39 Mis|            her hair clip seemed to banish all remnants of anger in
 40 Mis|       relationship had always been based more on real love and understanding
 41 Mis|            close.~After the ritual bath and change of clothes which
 42 Mis|         when the children in their beds, he thought to himself,
 43 Mis|          and I were just out for a beer as usual," the guest began
 44    | begin
 45    | beginning
 46 Mis|         some of his colleagues had begun exchanging anecdotes about
 47 Mis|       marriages, he was tempted to believe that such things only happened
 48 Mis|          it the Lana river flowing beneath the high poplars.~While
 49    | beside
 50 Mis|         fourteen years, one of the best elements of their marriage
 51 Mis|            Vojsava replied without betraying any hint of annoyance. Martin
 52 Mis|            of their guests.~"She’s better now, thank you. What she
 53    | beyond
 54 Mis|             Let’s go out and get a bit of air," he said, "I’ve
 55 Mis|            she was being unfair, a blind fury made the estrangement
 56 Mis|         different. He was about to blurt out, "Listen, it’s not the
 57 Mis|        women, about the daily rut, boasting about one’s independence
 58 Mis|        penetrate every cell of his body. He was filled with a longing
 59 Mis|    adolescents. The boys were in a boisterous mood as their father entered
 60 Mis|        marriages, some out of pure boredom and others to parade their
 61    | both
 62 Mis|         until they had reached the bottom.~For a moment, Martin and
 63 Mis|          uninvited guests who were breaking into their afternoon without
 64 Mis|        savouring, he could sense a breath of isolation.~He had returned
 65 Mis|        trees quivered in the light breeze which had sprung up. The
 66 Mis|           to talk except for a few brief words of greeting and the
 67 Mis|         way you think!" but Farouk broke in before he could say a
 68 Mis|           the bar.~Vojsava finally brought in the coffee. Martin raised
 69 Mis|            an open notebook on the buffet and a ballpoint pen next
 70 Mis|           he thought, crushing the butt of his unfinished cigarette
 71 Mis|           noisily as their mothers called them home.~Martin walked
 72    | cannot
 73 Mis|            a cold and isn’t taking care of herself."~"It’s a beautiful
 74 Mis|     another but, as always in such cases, promises are easily made
 75 Mis|             he thought to himself, casting his mind fondly back to
 76 Mis|        quickly so that she doesn’t catch you like that," he said
 77 Mis|            looked away again as if caught in some shameful act.~"How
 78 Mis|          seemed to penetrate every cell of his body. He was filled
 79 Mis|   self-confidence of those who are certain that they will be welcome
 80 Mis|            confided in her. But he changed his mind, not because he
 81 Mis|         Her eyes met Martin’s. Her cheeks flushed ever so slightly.~"
 82 Mis|        wife followed their hostess cheerfully into the living room and
 83 Mis|      interrupted by the clatter of china. He stood up, then sat down
 84 Mis|         the butt of his unfinished cigarette in the saucer of a flower
 85 Mis|            afternoon. How would it clarify his relationship with Vojsava?
 86 Mis|            children talking during class. He had often thought of
 87 Mis|       which was interrupted by the clatter of china. He stood up, then
 88 Mis|          raining and the skies had cleared as so often happens after
 89 Mis|            in the mirror. The cold click of her hair clip seemed
 90 Mis|       finished her work by now. He closed his eyes and imagined the
 91 Mis|            silence at the doorway. Closing the door behind them, they
 92 Mis|          ritual bath and change of clothes which always followed his
 93 Mis|           met two years ago at the coast where they had shared a
 94 Mis|           Hang your sweater on the coat-stand, Pauline."~It’s Farouk,
 95 Mis|            office when some of his colleagues had begun exchanging anecdotes
 96 Mis|     happiness?" she thought as she combed her hair in the mirror.
 97 Mis|          to his wife. She would be coming in any moment now...~Martin’
 98 Mis|        wife. A wife is a life-long companion. Without a wife..."~"I don’
 99 Mis|            for a drink. Farouk had complained about his wife. "They’re
100 Mis|          the living room and began complementing her on the decor before
101 Mis|           what it is. He is not as conceited as all that but he still
102 Mis|          professional problems and concerns with their wives..."~Martin
103 Mis|        them, just as he had always confided in her. But he changed his
104 Mis|          to his street. A sense of confidence welled up within him at
105 Mis|            the high poplars.~While contemplating the view, Martin turned
106 Mis|           returned to his tranquil contemplation of that June afternoon which
107 Mis|         The telephone conversation continued in the hall. He heard his
108 Mis|          door and then back to the contours of the poplars, the tips
109 Mis|            their seemingly endless conversations he would smell the fragrance
110 Mis|        resounded joyfully down the corridor as she told the boys to
111 Mis|         After all, it only takes a couple of minutes to make coffee,
112 Mis|           calm demeanour gave them courage. The elder son gave his
113 Mis|            side to help the little creature escape. From the street
114 Mis|       voices of passers-by and the cries of children playing in the
115 Mis|          winced. Damn, he thought, crushing the butt of his unfinished
116 Mis|           front of him proffered a cup of coffee which he accepted
117 Mis|           suffering or satisfy her curiosity, but simply to confide in
118 Mis|        finished the dishes (it was customary for a woman to see that
119 Mis|        talk about women, about the daily rut, boasting about one’
120 Mis|           wives..."~Martin winced. Damn, he thought, crushing the
121 Mis|            make her understand how deceptive appearances were and that
122 Mis|           complementing her on the decor before they had even sat
123 Mis|           the depths of his being, deep under the relaxation he
124 Mis|            He realized that he was deeply attached not only to his
125 Mis|          he could stand no further delay. He suddenly felt impatient.
126 Mis|   forthcoming. Their father’s calm demeanour gave them courage. The elder
127 Mis|      pencil to note the day of his departure. Their calendar was full
128 Mis|         somewhere, hovering in the depths of his being, deep under
129 Mis|           coffee and watch the sun descend peacefully behind the poplars.
130 Mis|         mild and warm. The sun had descended behind the thick foliage
131 Mis|        filled with an irresistible desire to tell Vojsava everything
132 Mis|       successful marriage that was destined to last. Whenever there
133 Mis|            might hurt his wife and destroy that beautiful June afternoon.
134 Mis|           me, she thought. As if I didn’t find books more interesting
135 Mis|            talking, he always came directly to the point, whereas Vojsava
136 Mis|         lives would be thrown into discord by some thoughtless gesture
137 Mis|       experienced by men when they discover one day that their children
138 Mis|           have coffee together and discuss all sorts of things. Every
139 Mis|         men who cannot be bothered discussing their professional problems
140 Mis|          whether I have a doctoral dissertation to finish or anything. I
141 Mis|            matter whether I have a doctoral dissertation to finish or
142 Mis|           impetuous ringing of the doorbell. Who could it be at this
143 Mis|            stood in silence at the doorway. Closing the door behind
144 Mis|           being unfair to him. The doubt bothered her.~I can understand
145 Mis|           He smiled and pushed the drapes to one side to help the
146 Mis|           she said and went to get dressed. Her voice resounded joyfully
147 Mis|          jokes. They were the same dull anecdotes told everywhere
148    | during
149 Mis|           the children. Sweaty and dusty, the two boys were still
150    | Each
151 Mis|            he knew, not so much to ease her unnecessary suffering
152 Mis|           such cases, promises are easily made but difficult to keep.
153 Mis|            listen for the familiar echo of his wife’s footsteps.
154 Mis|          laughter and noise, which echoed all the way down the staircase
155 Mis|   demeanour gave them courage. The elder son gave his father a man-to-man
156 Mis|    fourteen years, one of the best elements of their marriage remained
157    | else
158    | elsewhere
159 Mis|           like a warm and soothing embrace. Outside the open window
160 Mis|          course of their seemingly endless conversations he would smell
161 Mis|         but more than anything, he enjoyed listening to her talk. When
162 Mis|    boisterous mood as their father entered the kitchen with a smile
163 Mis|       explaining in a particularly enthusiastic manner. "And, well, we were
164 Mis|          The June afternoon gently enveloped everything in its warmth
165 Mis|           help the little creature escape. From the street came the
166 Mis|      appearances were and that the essence of things was quite different.
167 Mis|      unfair, a blind fury made the estrangement all the worse. She set the
168 Mis|          give way to the shades of evening. The leaves of the poplar
169 Mis|            mind fondly back to the evenings when she would read until
170    | everywhere
171 Mis|       liberated from some force of evil, they were well aware that
172    | except
173 Mis|         and others to parade their excess baggage of jokes. They were
174 Mis|           his colleagues had begun exchanging anecdotes about their marriages,
175 Mis|            long."~"Splendid idea!" exclaimed the hostess. Her eyes met
176 Mis|           two or three times as if expecting a call. But no call came.
177 Mis|         amazement and satisfaction experienced by men when they discover
178 Mis|        felt revolted. He wanted to explain to her that human relations
179 Mis|            usual," the guest began explaining in a particularly enthusiastic
180 Mis|          vivid gestures and facial expressions. Although they had been
181 Mis|         aware that behind the calm facade there was some irritation
182 Mis|        summer storm. The trees and facades of the houses across the
183 Mis|            with vivid gestures and facial expressions. Although they
184 Mis|         Whenever there was talk of failed marriages, he was tempted
185 Mis|        have thought that she would fall ill."~"Well, what can you
186 Mis|           place by a hair clip had fallen to one side. He approached
187 Mis|          Karenina? Is it the happy families that resemble one another,
188 Mis|           sofa in the living room, feasting his eyes on the view through
189 Mis|            some reason, he had the feeling that something was wrong.
190 Mis|            I can understand how he feels. He has just gotten back
191 Mis|         said Farouk, getting up to fetch his wife’s sweater from
192 Mis|             there would perhaps be fewer novels. Who would write
193 Mis|         where the two large potted fig trees had been placed to
194 Mis|            thought. As if I didn’t find books more interesting than
195 Mis|             Oh, of course."~"She’s fine, she is doing wonderfully."~"
196 Mis|           doctoral dissertation to finish or anything. I drop whatever
197 Mis|            and began observing the flight of a long-winged insect
198 Mis|       cigarette in the saucer of a flower pot.~On the balcony, the
199 Mis|           balcony, the well-tended flowers...~Martin moved awkwardly
200 Mis|           met Martin’s. Her cheeks flushed ever so slightly.~"Pauline,
201 Mis|          himself, casting his mind fondly back to the evenings when
202 Mis|          boys were still kicking a football back and forth. They had
203 Mis|        familiar echo of his wife’s footsteps. She had taken the children
204 Mis|          as if liberated from some force of evil, they were well
205 Mis|        would keep their love alive forever
206 Mis|        kicking a football back and forth. They had been out too long
207 Mis|       surprisingly enough none was forthcoming. Their father’s calm demeanour
208    | found
209 Mis|          they had been married for fourteen years, one of the best elements
210 Mis|   conversations he would smell the fragrance of her hair. There were
211 Mis|            been placed to get some fresh air. He had so much to tell
212 Mis|           she talked to one of her friends, and smiled instinctively.
213 Mis|       would kiss her.~Her hands in front of him proffered a cup of
214 Mis|           she was not finished. He frowned as if from a slight ache
215 Mis|          this gesture and his hand froze in the air. She realized
216    | further
217 Mis|       Martin and Vojsava exchanged furtive glances and quickly looked
218 Mis|          was being unfair, a blind fury made the estrangement all
219 Mis|            Then suddenly she rose, gathered up the coffee cups and left
220 Mis|         asleep.~The June afternoon gently enveloped everything in
221 Mis|          human relations were only genuine when they were natural and
222 Mis|            hint of humour. She was gifted at telling stories and knew
223 Mis|               Martin looked up and glanced at his wife. There seemed
224 Mis|          Vojsava exchanged furtive glances and quickly looked away
225 Mis|            on the view through the glass door to the balcony. From
226 Mis|         which now took on a golden glow.~For a moment it seemed
227 Mis|         only thinks of himself. Oh God!~The water poured out of
228 Mis|           and retired what are you going to note on the calendar?"
229 Mis|        poplars which now took on a golden glow.~For a moment it seemed
230 Mis|           But it’s over now, thank goodness. Man is a strange animal.
231 Mis|          say a word, speaking with great enthusiasm.~"For some men,
232 Mis|          for a beer as usual," the guest began explaining in a particularly
233 Mis|          to leave. Once again, the hallway was filled with their laughter
234 Mis|            by this gesture and his hand froze in the air. She realized
235 Mis|          pen next to it. Vojsava’s handwriting was more vertical and legible
236 Mis|           Oh, good. We’re in luck. Hang your sweater on the coat-stand,
237 Mis|            had cleared as so often happens after a summer storm. The
238 Mis|     stupidity get in the way of my happiness?" she thought as she combed
239 Mis|         always be moments when the harmony in their lives would be
240 Mis|          so much to tell you and I haven’t had a minute alone with
241 Mis|          book down but realized on hearing water flowing in the sink
242 Mis|           had now lost some of its heat. Its presence could be felt
243 Mis|        full. The jet of water only heightened her frustration.~Martin
244 Mis|          the drapes to one side to help the little creature escape.
245    | herself
246 Mis|        added Farouk loudly without hesitation.~"Farouk is a good soul,"
247 Mis|            thought he could read a hidden irony in her expression,
248 Mis|           she wanted. How silly to hide his love, he thought to
249 Mis|        novels. Who would write the history of Anna Karenina? Is it
250 Mis|        frustration which had taken hold of her was there for good.
251 Mis|          the bathroom and do their homework.~"Is it necessary to give
252 Mis|           The emotion which he had hoped to be able to show her was
253 Mis|            Who could it be at this hour of the day? he wondered,
254 Mis|            in the north only a few hours earlier and they had had
255 Mis|           they had shared a summer house. Martin had later seen them
256 Mis|       women are simply part of the household. There are even men who
257 Mis|           trees and facades of the houses across the street reflected
258 Mis|        late at night, when all the housework had been done and the children
259 Mis|           the sink, and somewhere, hovering in the depths of his being,
260    | however
261 Mis|            afternoon full of life, hues and odours. He realized
262 Mis|       could go over and give her a hug, as he often did, and let
263 Mis|      wanted to explain to her that human relations were only genuine
264 Mis|        manner and always a hint of humour. She was gifted at telling
265 Mis|            wondered.~"I’ve sworn a hundred times not to get upset because
266 Mis|            speaking about it might hurt his wife and destroy that
267 Mis|        down the hall, she gave her husband a glance as he sat reading
268 Mis|            for so long."~"Splendid idea!" exclaimed the hostess.
269 Mis|        thought that she would fall ill."~"Well, what can you do?
270 Mis|            delay. He suddenly felt impatient. She must come any moment
271 Mis|           lingered in the room and impeded his thoughts. Vojsava approached
272 Mis|       whole being shuddered at the impetuous ringing of the doorbell.
273 Mis|         whoever it might be, as an imposition. Vojsava opened the door.~
274 Mis|            slight ache and had the impression that she had splashed water
275 Mis|          him, and exhausted by the impromptu visit, she smiled back unexpectedly.
276 Mis|           over the sink, he had an impulse to go and give her a kiss,
277 Mis|          rut, boasting about one’s independence and making fun of the others
278 Mis|          wife. "Such a shame to be indoors on a day like this."~"We
279 Mis|          but also to the city, its inhabitants and to his street. A sense
280 Mis|          of greeting and the usual inquiry as to how the children were.
281 Mis|            flight of a long-winged insect at the window. He smiled
282 Mis|            thought Martin. At that instant he felt exhausted from his
283 Mis|            her friends, and smiled instinctively. There was something refreshing
284 Mis|       waited so long and with such intensity, and now that the moment
285 Mis|           I didn’t find books more interesting than washing the dishes.
286 Mis|          He had also told him more intimate details that day.~Martin
287 Mis|   interrupted at that moment by an irregular knocking at the door which
288 Mis|      Martin was now filled with an irresistible desire to tell Vojsava everything
289 Mis|          reading his book. She was irritated at the very sight of him.~
290 Mis|         calm facade there was some irritation which he felt truly sorry
291 Mis|            could sense a breath of isolation.~He had returned from the
292 Mis|        turned the tap on full. The jet of water only heightened
293 Mis|            their excess baggage of jokes. They were the same dull
294 Mis|       dressed. Her voice resounded joyfully down the corridor as she
295 Mis|          write the history of Anna Karenina? Is it the happy families
296 Mis|                  Misunderstanding~(Keqkuptimi)~It had stopped raining
297 Mis|            the two boys were still kicking a football back and forth.
298 Mis|        that moment by an irregular knocking at the door which he recognized
299 Mis|        these things had never been lacking in their lives, against
300 Mis|       playground and beyond it the Lana river flowing beneath the
301 Mis|           have been used up. A new language would be needed for them
302 Mis|          the balcony where the two large potted fig trees had been
303 Mis|   suffering which they would later laugh about. Her expression had
304 Mis|      hallway was filled with their laughter and noise, which echoed
305 Mis|         the shades of evening. The leaves of the poplar trees quivered
306 Mis|  handwriting was more vertical and legible than his. She studied when
307 Mis|          them felt relieved, as if liberated from some force of evil,
308 Mis|        that June afternoon full of life, hues and odours. He realized
309 Mis|           to his wife. A wife is a life-long companion. Without a wife..."~"
310 Mis|          been wronged. There was a limit to everything. He rose and
311 Mis|           the shadow of the guests lingered in the room and impeded
312 Mis|        tell her and she was a good listener, but more than anything,
313 Mis|     different. She had a much more lively manner and always a hint
314 Mis|        over the sink once again. A lock of her hair usually held
315 Mis|          observing the flight of a long-winged insect at the window. He
316 Mis|     business it was this moment he longed for most.~In the kitchen,
317 Mis|            her head and gave him a look. The spark of warmth in
318 Mis|            everything without ever losing her sense of proportion),
319 Mis|            Vojsava was always at a loss for words when she was in
320 Mis|     whenever we can," added Farouk loudly without hesitation.~"Farouk
321 Mis|   predicament.~"Oh, good. We’re in luck. Hang your sweater on the
322 Mis|            Martin picked up a book lying open on the table and tried
323 Mis|            Let’s go for a walk’, I’m ready."~Martin and Vojsava
324 Mis|        elder son gave his father a man-to-man wink and said, "Mommy forgot
325 Mis|        loved, but somehow he never managed to confide them to his wife.
326 Mis|     tempted to smile at the little mark she had made in red pencil
327 Mis|          calendar was full of such marks. "When we are old and retired
328 Mis|             Although they had been married for fourteen years, one
329 Mis|           inquired.~"Daughter, you mean. We have a daughter. Don’
330 Mis|           June afternoon was still mild and warm. The sun had descended
331 Mis|             she said, giving him a mildly reproachful glance.~For
332 Mis|          it only takes a couple of minutes to make coffee, he thought.~
333 Mis|       still I keep making the same mistake. Why does my stupidity get
334 Mis|            he was afraid she would misunderstand (she understood everything
335 Mis|          in his eyes had set off a mixture of longing, tenderness and
336 Mis|         man-to-man wink and said, "Mommy forgot to call us."~"Off
337 Mis|           she was operated on last month."~An expression of sorrow
338 Mis|          boys were in a boisterous mood as their father entered
339 Mis|            what can you do? We are mortal, after all," added Vojsava,
340 Mis|           playing noisily as their mothers called them home.~Martin
341 Mis|           He had returned from the mountains in the north only a few
342 Mis|           the moment he opened his mouth, he realized that there
343 Mis|      well-tended flowers...~Martin moved awkwardly through the room,
344 Mis|          They’re all the same," he muttered angrily, "but what can you
345 Mis|             She heard him call her name and came out of the kitchen,
346 Mis|        only genuine when they were natural and that words and gestures
347 Mis|          do their homework.~"Is it necessary to give proof of one’s love
348 Mis|            A new language would be needed for them to understand one
349 Mis|          And, well, we were in the neighbourhood and thought, why don’t we
350 Mis|        finally came to an end. The neon streetlights had gone on
351    | next
352 Mis|           would read until late at night, when all the housework
353 Mis|        Children were still playing noisily as their mothers called
354    | none
355 Mis|          so. Though it was quite a normal time of day for visits,
356 Mis|          from the mountains in the north only a few hours earlier
357 Mis|        thought.~He noticed an open notebook on the buffet and a ballpoint
358 Mis|           I won’t need to make any notes," she would reply.~Martin
359 Mis|       there would perhaps be fewer novels. Who would write the history
360 Mis|          conversation with amusing observations and with vivid gestures
361 Mis|        relaxed once more and began observing the flight of a long-winged
362 Mis|            cups and left the room.~Obviously my place is here at the
363 Mis|            there no words for such occasions?~Martin heard the noise
364 Mis|   afternoon full of life, hues and odours. He realized that he was
365 Mis|          was on the point of being offended by this gesture and his
366 Mis|     reminded him of the day at the office when some of his colleagues
367 Mis|           such marks. "When we are old and retired what are you
368 Mis|            another, or the unhappy ones?~Vojsava must have finished
369 Mis|             Martin told me she was operated on last month."~An expression
370 Mis|          arrived, she did the very opposite of what she wanted, the
371 Mis|        give proof of one’s love in order to be understood by one’
372 Mis|         the tray. He suddenly felt overwhelmed by a need to be with her.
373 Mis|         pure boredom and others to parade their excess baggage of
374 Mis|         tender gesture, but he was paralysed. I don’t know where to start,
375 Mis|        guest began explaining in a particularly enthusiastic manner. "And,
376 Mis|            bent over the sink, the parting of her hair, and waited
377 Mis|            An expression of sorrow passed over the eyes of their guests.~"
378 Mis|          street came the voices of passers-by and the cries of children
379 Mis|       understand one another. Each passing moment made it more difficult
380 Mis|         because he simply does not pay attention to details, and
381 Mis|          and watch the sun descend peacefully behind the poplars. He now
382 Mis|         the buffet and a ballpoint pen next to it. Vojsava’s handwriting
383 Mis|           mark she had made in red pencil to note the day of his departure.
384 Mis|          emotion he felt seemed to penetrate every cell of his body.
385 Mis|          slightly and observed her pensively. She raised her head and
386 Mis|            she would reply.~Martin picked up a book lying open on
387 Mis|          potted fig trees had been placed to get some fresh air. He
388 Mis|          taken the children out to play and would soon be back.
389 Mis|           park with the children’s playground and beyond it the Lana river
390 Mis|        afternoon which had been so pleasant before was drawing to a
391 Mis|         evening. The leaves of the poplar trees quivered in the light
392 Mis|          to the balcony. From this position he could see a part of the
393 Mis|          in the saucer of a flower pot.~On the balcony, the light
394 Mis|        balcony where the two large potted fig trees had been placed
395 Mis|         himself. Oh God!~The water poured out of the tap, a symbol
396 Mis|       without saying a word. Their power of speech seemed to have
397 Mis|            words when she was in a predicament.~"Oh, good. We’re in luck.
398 Mis|          been out too long and had prepared themselves for a scolding.
399 Mis|      discussing their professional problems and concerns with their
400 Mis|          bothered discussing their professional problems and concerns with
401 Mis|          Her hands in front of him proffered a cup of coffee which he
402 Mis|          long ago. They had always promised to visit one another but,
403 Mis|           as always in such cases, promises are easily made but difficult
404 Mis|            of irony in the way she pronounced the word ‘reading’. He wanted
405 Mis|            Is it necessary to give proof of one’s love in order to
406 Mis|           ever losing her sense of proportion), but because speaking about
407 Mis|       their marriages, some out of pure boredom and others to parade
408 Mis|         Keqkuptimi)~It had stopped raining and the skies had cleared
409 Mis|          he thought.~The telephone rang in the hall. He got up to
410 Mis|           the street reflected the rays of the late afternoon sun,
411 Mis|           staircase until they had reached the bottom.~For a moment,
412 Mis|            realized how absurd her reaction was. She had waited so long
413 Mis|          always been based more on real love and understanding than
414 Mis|       reproachful glance.~For some reason, he had the feeling that
415 Mis|         their will and for unknown reasons, there were also many superfluous
416 Mis|      knocking at the door which he recognized immediately.~It was the
417 Mis|        little mark she had made in red pencil to note the day of
418 Mis|           houses across the street reflected the rays of the late afternoon
419 Mis| instinctively. There was something refreshing in her voice, like the voices
420 Mis|         raindrops. The sight was a refreshment to his soul. He imagined
421 Mis|          explain to her that human relations were only genuine when they
422 Mis|          his being, deep under the relaxation he was savouring, he could
423 Mis|        water all over his face. He relaxed once more and began observing
424 Mis|         Although both of them felt relieved, as if liberated from some
425 Mis|        some thoughtless gesture or remark. But at the same time they
426 Mis|         have a daughter. Don’t you remember?"~"Oh, of course."~"She’
427 Mis|           somehow he never had. It reminded him of the day at the office
428 Mis|          clip seemed to banish all remnants of anger in her.~Although
429 Mis|            t you come in?" Vojsava replied without betraying any hint
430 Mis|         make any notes," she would reply.~Martin picked up a book
431 Mis|          said, giving him a mildly reproachful glance.~For some reason,
432 Mis|            the happy families that resemble one another, or the unhappy
433 Mis|           water, got up and walked resolutely towards the kitchen, but
434 Mis|          to get dressed. Her voice resounded joyfully down the corridor
435 Mis|            difficult to keep. As a result, they had never exchanged
436 Mis|        marks. "When we are old and retired what are you going to note
437 Mis|          which always followed his return from business trips, he
438 Mis|    silently.~Suddenly, Martin felt revolted. He wanted to explain to
439 Mis|         shuddered at the impetuous ringing of the doorbell. Who could
440 Mis|      drawing to a close.~After the ritual bath and change of clothes
441 Mis|  playground and beyond it the Lana river flowing beneath the high
442 Mis|            Ten days earlier he had run into Farouk on the street
443 Mis|       about women, about the daily rut, boasting about one’s independence
444 Mis|          the sort of amazement and satisfaction experienced by men when
445 Mis|           unnecessary suffering or satisfy her curiosity, but simply
446 Mis|        unfinished cigarette in the saucer of a flower pot.~On the
447 Mis|        under the relaxation he was savouring, he could sense a breath
448 Mis|       there was nothing to add.~He saw what she was thinking by
449 Mis|          voice, like the voices of school children talking during
450 Mis|          prepared themselves for a scolding. But surprisingly enough
451 Mis|            and smiled at his wife. Seated across from him, and exhausted
452 Mis|       white tiles around the sink. Seeing the nape of her neck as
453 Mis|        when in the course of their seemingly endless conversations he
454 Mis|            house. Martin had later seen them several times on the
455 Mis|     inquired the visitors with the self-confidence of those who are certain
456 Mis|       everything in its warmth and sensuality. The emotion he felt seemed
457    | several
458 Mis|       beginning to give way to the shades of evening. The leaves of
459 Mis|          to say something, but the shadow of the guests lingered in
460 Mis|             said his wife. "Such a shame to be indoors on a day like
461 Mis|         again as if caught in some shameful act.~"How is your sister,
462 Mis|           the coast where they had shared a summer house. Martin had
463 Mis|          speechless now, wanted to shout at him: "Thief!"~Vojsava
464 Mis|            had hoped to be able to show her was swept aside by Farouk’
465 Mis|           This way," said Vojsava, showing them into the living room. "
466 Mis|          and understanding than on showy gestures. He looked up and
467 Mis|           alone with you yet."~She shrank back at the touch of his
468 Mis|           strings.~His whole being shuddered at the impetuous ringing
469 Mis|          which was still giving no sign of drawing to a close.~After
470 Mis|        Martin and Vojsava stood in silence at the doorway. Closing
471 Mis|       thoughts. Vojsava approached silently.~Suddenly, Martin felt revolted.
472 Mis|         had a meaning if they were sincere. Ten days ago... Martin
473 Mis|         hands. For a moment, for a single second, he was on the point
474 Mis|         shameful act.~"How is your sister, Pauline?" Vojsava inquired. "
475 Mis|            stopped raining and the skies had cleared as so often
476 Mis|          balcony, the light in the sky was beginning to give way
477 Mis|            He frowned as if from a slight ache and had the impression
478 Mis|            one side. He approached slowly and with a tender gesture
479 Mis|     endless conversations he would smell the fragrance of her hair.
480 Mis|             He imagined his wife’s smooth hands washing the dishes
481 Mis|            Martin as he sat on the sofa in the living room, feasting
482 Mis|        window everything was warm, soft and tender. The raindrops
483    | somewhere
484 Mis|            the air like a warm and soothing embrace. Outside the open
485 Mis|           month."~An expression of sorrow passed over the eyes of
486 Mis|     irritation which he felt truly sorry about. He was on the point
487 Mis|           together and discuss all sorts of things. Every time he
488 Mis|         done and the children were sound asleep.~The June afternoon
489 Mis|           and gave him a look. The spark of warmth in his eyes had
490 Mis|         poplars, the tips of which sparkled with raindrops. The sight
491 Mis|            she had noticed nothing special. Martin thought he could
492 Mis|      saying a word. Their power of speech seemed to have been used
493 Mis|          enthusiasm. Martin, quite speechless now, wanted to shout at
494 Mis|            stories and knew how to spice up her conversation with
495 Mis|            impression that she had splashed water all over his face.
496 Mis|           come over for so long."~"Splendid idea!" exclaimed the hostess.
497 Mis|         But he could at least have spoken to me. It wouldn’t have
498 Mis|         the light breeze which had sprung up. The long June afternoon
499 Mis|        echoed all the way down the staircase until they had reached the
500 Mis|   paralysed. I don’t know where to start, he thought.~He noticed