You might want to return to read the Bio of WISŁAWA SZYMBORSKA, who,
according to a note from the Editor of the Poetry Foundation, was born in
July 100 years ago.
Well-known in her native Poland, Wisława Szymborska (1923–2012) received
international recognition when she won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1996
(age 73). In awarding the prize, the Academy praised her “poetry that, with
ironic precision allows the historical and biological context to come to light
in fragments…
I’m in complete awe of this remarkable woman, but the section in the Bio that
brought me a smile is a vain one: Szymborska lived most of her life in Krakow
—my new collection includes a poem that references Krakow. This coincidence
lights me up and makes me feel connected to greatness.
Honesty, I love everything written about this woman, and I know
you will enjoy the poem I chose for you today.
As seen on Poetry Foundation Website.
Wisława Szymborska’s poem:
Copyright © 2002 by Wislawa Szymborska.
Reprinted by permission of W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.
(as viewed on Poetry Foundation Website).
A Word on Statistics
Out of every hundred people
those who always know better:
fifty-two.
Unsure of every step:
almost all the rest.
Ready to help,
if it doesn’t take long:
forty-nine.
Always good,
because they cannot be otherwise:
four—well, maybe five.
Able to admire without envy:
eighteen.
Led to error
by youth (which passes):
sixty, plus or minus.
Those not to be messed with:
forty and four.
Living in constant fear
of someone or something:
seventy-seven.
Capable of happiness:
twenty-some-odd at most.
Harmless alone,
turning savage in crowds:
more than half, for sure.
Cruel
when forced by circumstances:
it’s better not to know,
not even approximately.
Wise in hindsight:
not many more
than wise in foresight.
Getting nothing out of life except things:
thirty
(though I would like to be wrong).
Doubled over in pain
and without a flashlight in the dark:
eighty-three, sooner or later.
Those who are just:
quite a few at thirty-five.
But if it takes effort to understand:
three.
Worthy of empathy:
ninety-nine.
Mortal:
one hundred out of one hundred—
a figure that has never varied yet.
Copyright © 2002 by Wislawa Szymborska
Because of the happy coincidence of one poem named Krakow Nights on
page 68 of In The Shadow of Rainbows, and to pay homage to this great lady,
I also wish to entice you to read mine.
KRAKOW NIGHTS
I like best the autumn days
when the windows fog over with steam
and the house delights in smells
of anise, cinnamon, and cumin.
When the boys return home from school
lugging bags that deform their small bodies
over starving stomachs that expand
with every footstep they take through the door.
The man-sized bags slide off their shoulders
and the excitement in their voices
bounces off whitewashed kitchen walls,
then soon after, we hear the car stop.
And we see feet walk through the same door,
dragging a face that lights up the room.
Then as I turn the chops, I say,
“three minutes guys, three more minutes,”
And I sprinkle a coat of Krakow Nights
and Dill Weed—both, and as I toss the chops
I turn to him, smiling, and he smiles back
Krakow Night!—I love the autumn too.
© Selma Martin
Poem on page 68 of
In The Shadow of Rainbows
I hope you enjoyed both poems.
I bless you and wish you miracles.
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Thank you for sharing this wonderful poem Selma
So interesting both poem. Nice you sharing that poem.
…my pleasure, dear Raj. Glad you found it interesting. xoxo
You are most welcome! Very interesting that. I glad too.
I’m pleased you like it, my friend. With pleasure. xo
Love both, certainly. Thanks for sharing, Selma 😊
I liked her statistics. So happy you read Maria. Stay sweet.
Oh yes. It makes us ponder on it. 😊
What an amazing poem. Thanks for introducing me to her.❤️🙏🏼
My absolute pleasure Melissa. Bless.
What a delight!! Thank you Selma for introducing me to such talent 🌻
Such talent, right! I’m happy too. Thanks, Kajal.
Thank you for introducing me to another great poet, Selma – I an getting a round-the-world tour! 😊
Round the world tour. 😜 I like that, Ingrid. Thanks for the visit. Stay sweet. Xoxo