I am from the continent of Europe
Beautiful, organized
Old and selfish Lady.

I am from the Balkan Peninsula
Where the East and the West
Imbue one another.

I am from the former Yugoslavia.
Where once lived Muslims, Christians and Jews
Roughly equal and in peace
For more than fifty years.

I am from the beautiful country of Bosnia
From the recent treacherous war
Too sad and misfortunate.

I am from šeher[1] Sarajevo
City of Winter Olympics
I am from that same Sarajevo
Where they killed without blinking an eye
Our innocent gentle children
From the surrounding dark mountains

I am from my native town of Mostar
From the blue river Neretva
Where the heartless barbarians
Demolished the Old Bridge
Five hundred years old
A gentleman of white stone

I am from the brink
Of the Mediterranean
Whence nobody stole from us
Our orange sun
The sky full of stars
With the smell of freshness.

I am from America
The land of generous heart
Who accepts
Everyone.

I am from the windy
Beautiful city by the lake Chicago
With all the colors in its face.

I am from my father’s books
And his heroes
Champions of human justice.

I am from my mother’s tenderness
Smiles and patience
I am from my sister’s friendship
And my brother’s jokes,
Brother’s and sisters- in low support
Husband’s love
I am from the goodness and purity
Of my beloved nephews.

I am from reading and writing
Of my books
From Bosnian and English
From Mesa, Mak and Hamza
Twain, Hemingvey
Sandberg and Silverstain

I am from teaching
In the Field, Haugan and Aspira schools
From the love of my students
I am from some white rains.

I am from China and Africa
Where I spent some time
From Rome, Paris and Prague,
Genova and Barcelona
From the Caucasus and Teheran
Moscow and Amman
Dubai and Kyrgyzstan
Where still live
Old acquaintances.

I am from my own
Diligent work
Continuous education
I am from my own ideals, failures
Realities and disappointments

I am from my own impressions
From my own World of Wonder
From the global village Earth

At the beginning of the new century,
I am from the new millennium
From somewhere in the Cosmos.

 

Legend under the picture: …From the love of my students

 

[1] Traditional Bosnian word for a city