So, tell me if this is getting old.  Today is the third consecutive installment in a series of “sad songs” — Bosnian, Croatian, or Serbian poems that have appeared in my language textbooks, and seem to always look on the dark side of life.  Today’s installment is entitled “Zemlja” (Earth), and was written by the Hercegovene writer AB Simic.  I think it offers a fascinating look into someone who was part of a society getting ready to move into a new era of socialism and non-religious faith. » Read the rest of this entry «

Below I have posted an essay I just finished for today’s Bosnian language class.  Last week my professor said calmly, “OK, Jonathan, for next week write for me an essay on the reason for faith.  The reason for God.  Something like that.  You figure it out, and bring it to me next time.”  My professor retired from the local college of philosophy a few years ago, and, having grown up in the era of communism in Yugoslavia, was not brought up with any religious affiliation.  I’m sure explanations of topics like personal faith in God are very interesting to people who are used to communism.

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