Nikola Vaptsarov

7 December 1909 - 23 July 1942 / Bulgaria

My Country's Mine

My country's mine; blue and clear
above it shines the sky so bright;
at dusk gleam starry chandeliers
quenched at dawn by white daylight.

Yet when at night I homeward go
hugging the shadow of the eaves,
by my father's house I sense the foe,
lurking with their guns like thieves.

To love all men as I love you
Mother, was what you always said.
I'd love them, Mother, I'd love them too,
but I need freedom, I need bread.
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