“I realize that I only have words and that, from time to time, as I hold them in my arms I am less lonely.”
In this quote by Slavenka Drakulić, the author reflects on the power of words in alleviating their feelings of loneliness. Through the metaphor of holding words in their arms, Drakulić suggests that language can provide comfort and companionship in times of solitude. This highlights the emotional connection that words can create and the solace they can offer to those who find solace in them.
In today's fast-paced digital world, where social interactions are often reduced to emojis and abbreviations, the power of words to connect with others remains as relevant as ever. Slavenka Drakulić's reflection on finding solace in words highlights the profound impact that language can have on alleviating feelings of loneliness. In a time where face-to-face communication may be limited, expressing oneself through words can still provide a sense of connection and companionship. Whether through text messages, emails, or social media posts, the act of sharing words can foster a sense of community and understanding in an increasingly isolated world.
"I realize that I only have words and that, from time to time, as I hold them in my arms I am less lonely.” - Slavenka Drakulić"
“Europe has another meaning for me. Every time I mention that word, I see the Bosnian family in front of me, living far away from whatever they call home and eating their own wonderful food because that's all that is left for them. The fact remains that after fifty years, it was possible to have another war in Europe; that it was possible to change borders; that genocide is still possible even today.”
“What do people think of when they talk about their lives? Do they really see them as an integral whole, as a chronological sequence of events; as something logical, purposeful, completed? What moments do they remember, and how do they remember them? As words? As a series of images and sounds? My life crumbles into a series of pictures, unconnected scenes which comes to mind only occassionally and at random. But there are key events, the acts of chance or fate, which later enable me to construct a logical whole of my life. One such moment was meeting Jose. The other was my decision to see our love through to the very end.”
“Žene klimaju glavom, svaka ima nekoliko djece. Jedan dječak ih sluša i kaže: - Kad budem velik, ja ću ubijati Srbe ovako - podiže ruke i cilja kao da puca na nekoga ih velike blizine. Odrasli šute. S. zna da je dječak vidio kako su mu vojnici ubili starijeg brata, baš tako. Toj maloj ruci nedostaje samo oružje, sve je drugo već tu. Svejedno je u koju će zemlju otputovati, ovaj će dječak jednog dana izvršiti svoju namjeru. S. izlazi iz sobe i diše, zrak je oštar poput noža. Jedna je generacija iz te sobe već završila svoj život i svela ga na uspomene. Druga će rasti sa željom da se osveti. Kao da su oni već živi mrtvaci, misli S. Iznenada u ustima osjeća gorčinu.”
“لكني لا أعتقد أن الالبانيين كانوا أغبياء عندما فعلوا هذا لكنهم كانوا على درجة من السذاجة كما كانت تملؤهم الكراهية لكي تفهم ما حدث في البانيا يجب أن تضع في ذهنك الخنادق التي كان غرضها الوحيد هو خلق الخوف و تخليده فإذا كنت تعيش محاطًا بهذه الخنادق و عندما تأتي الحرية في النهاية فان الخوف يتحول الي كراهية و عدوان”
“If I stand alone, It does not mean, I am any less a Human, If my arms do not hold another, It does not mean, They are incapable of holding, If my tongue is silent, And never speaks the words of Love, It does not mean, That it will be mute, When the time comes, That the words can sincerely be spoken. And just because the World, Has not yet introduced, The one that will share my Life, It certainly does not mean, That I am incapable, Of Loving.”
“The longer I live, the more I realize that I am never wrong about anything, and that all the pains I have so humbly taken to verify my notions have only wasted my time!”