Majo Danilović, Serbia

The Outside is – In

I will keep the windows closed
So that the police hour won’t sneak inside,
But especially because I don’t want the dread to set in.
I’m Emergent!
I cannot go out,
I’d infect the virus with humans.
Why should I venture out
When I have a phobia of outdoors, 
Of wide and endless,
When I have a fear of Nature – 
There’s grass, and dandeLions, sparrows and rooks.
If I am wrong and I venture out,
I’d be run over by polluted air. 
I will upholster the window with mosaics
So that my sense of guilt doesn’t creep out.
What am I to do outside, 
Where the silence of million rejected 
sleeves of dignity latches on. 
The hell am I to do outside, 
When I’m told I’m not for the inside as well, 
But, there, for a breath, for just a few more days!
 
Because the inside is – out,
And the outside is – in. 

Translation: Tihana Lalić Murić