BROTHER POET
(Kosta Racin born in Veles Macedonia..1909-1943)

Spero Thompson

Oh! Brother poet
Eloquent and gifted Macedonian
You are dead,
And from the grave no one is able to speak.
Yet! You speak, your words come alive
Whenever your poems are spoken
Wherever your poems are read
Here in this land, far away from Macedonia
I have read what you have written.

Oh, Soldier poet, when you died in the war
I was a child nine years of age
I would be unable to understand your sad poem

"What are these days
But days of sorrow
And miserable struggle
Born a man, you live as a slave
Born a man, you die as a beast"

Now oh yes now, through my experience of life
I know and can understand your words

Your words cry out to me
They cry

"I Kosta Racin was a Macedonian"
"I Kosta Racin was a patriot, a partisan"
"I Kosta Racin was a sweet singer of words"
"I Kosta Racin was a poet"

Oh brother poet, may the words of my mouth
And the thoughts of my mind please you
As in the tradition of poetry
I continue to give voice to the Macedonian soul.

Sleep in peace, brother poet, sleep in honour
While the Muse bids me to eulogize you.