Ivan Minatti- You must love someone

Ivan Minatti- You must love someone


This beautiful poem talks about subtle connection that exists between human beings and nature. About love we have for nature. The poet talks about love that makes us happy and fulfilled. The connection to nature, on the other hand, reminds us we are not alone, the feeling of loneliness disappears when we go to nature.

He wrote this beautiful poem in his native Slovenian.

You must love someone,

even though only grass, river, tree or stone,

on someone’s shoulder you must lay your hand,

so that it gluts its hunger with nearness,

there must, must be someone,

it is like bread, like a drink of water,

to whom you must give your white clouds,

your brave birds of dreams,

your shy birds of helplessness

- somewhere for them there must be

a nest of peace and tenderness -,

you must love someone,

though only grass, river, tree or stone,

for trees and grass know what loneliness is

- for footsteps always pass by

even if they pause for a moment -,

for the river knows what sadness is

- it need only brood over its depths -,

for the stone knows what pain is

- how many heavy feet

have already gone over its mute heart -,

you must love someone,

you must love someone,

walk side by side with someone

on the same path -

oh grass, river, stone, tree,

silent companions of the strange and lonely,

good, great beings,

who begin to speak

only when men have fallen silent.