Olujna vremena: izabrane pjesme

A selection of poems by the contemporary Croatian and Bosnian-Herzegovinian writer Pejo Šimić, published in 2011 under the title Olujna vremena ("Stormy Times") by the Rijeka branch of Matica hrvatska, offers a representative cross-section of his decades-long poetic oeuvre. Hailing from Foča near Derventa, Šimić gathers in this extensive collection verses that bear witness to the severe historical trials, wartime suffering, and the plight of the displaced people of the Bosanska Posavina region. The central motifs of his poetry are closely linked to his native land, his ancestral soil, his family, and a deeply felt faith. Through verses that are nostalgic, yet simultaneously defiant and dignified, the author speaks of losses, burned-down homes, and a longing to return to the hearths of his forefathers. In addition to a strong patriotic and regional focus, the collection also encompasses spiritual-religious and intimate lyrical poetry. Šimić’s poetic expression is characterized by a simple, direct, and accessible style, imbued with intense emotion and musicality—qualities that have allowed many of his poems to reach a wider audience and be set to music. The 2011 collection is considered one of the author’s most mature works, serving as an important literary and emotional monument to the tradition and identity of the Croats of Posavina.