Nikita Hristea Stanescu

Nikita Hristea Stanescu (1913–1983) graduated from the University of Bucharest in 1957, the year that also marked his poetic debut. He passed away at 50, leaving a legacy of essays and passionate poetry. Eight of his books were published during his brief life and numerous others appeared after his death. Considered one of the greatest Romanian poets after the Second World War, he was the recipient of the Herder Award in 1975 and a nominee for the Nobel Prize in Literature.

Belgrade Made of Stone

Not asked I was born suddenly not asked I will die suddenly

I am because I remember about myself that I am

in Belgrade “upon this stone we sat and wept” as the chronicler says

not asked at the beginning not asked in the end

Translated by Mirjana N. Radovanov-Matarić, 2010

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Credit to Ratomir Damjanović: text from his personal collection of writings on Belgrade