Ivan Benak

pučki pjesnik · folk poet  ·  Sopje 1933. – Valpovo 2015.Sopje 1933 – Valpovo 2015

Komletinci divno mjesto,na zapadu ravnog Srijema,bogato je i veselo,tu vam nema čega nema.

Komletinci, lovely placein the west of Srijem's plain,rich it is, and merry too:nothing here you seek in vain.

Trgovina više ima,za potrebe građanimai doktor je tu u toku,a Vlada je u Otoku.

There are shops, and more than one,for the needs of everyone;and the doctor's here on call,while in Otok sits Town Hall.

Od Nazora Vladimiraosmoljetku školu ima.Crkvu Bezgrešnog začeća,za utjehu kršćanima.

Named for Vladimir Nazoris the eight-year school of theirs;the Immaculate Conception'schurch consoles the Christians' cares.

I ta škola Nazorova,maloj djeci znanje dala,a onima što ih uče,roditelji kažu hvala.

And that school of Nazor's namegave the small ones what they know;and to those who do the teachingparents' grateful thanks will go.

Tu je pošta od davninakoja služi seljanimai birtija selo krasi,da se radost ne ugasi.

Here, since olden days, has stooda post office for the common good,and a tavern brings good cheer,so the joy won't disappear.

Kolo pletu folkloraši,sve KUD-ovci to su naši,a ljepotu daju svirci:eto to su KOMLETINCI!

Dancers weave the kolo's line,all our KUD folk, yours and mine,and the players bring the grace:that's KOMLETINCI, what a place!

Valpovo, 30. 10. 2012.

Valpovo, October 30, 2012

Translator's note. A portrait of a village in western Srijem. Its school is named after the poet Vladimir Nazor (1876–1949), and its local government sits in the nearby town of Otok. A KUD is a village folklore society.