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*
At the bus stop, one woman says to another:
– There are no thieves. People steal on their own.
*
My daughter has an original way of describing various situations and delivering punchlines. I once told her that if she wanted to write poetry, it would be great.
She said: – But you have to reveal yourself like that...
Me: – See, I am revealing myself...
She: – Exactly, I have never seen such a naked poet as you.
*
I have always liked short poems. That is why it was not easy for me to read „Pan Tadeusz”. My daughter, however, started reading it on her own at the age of twelve. I ask her:
– Do you like it?
– Yes.
– Why?
– Because there are parties there all the time – my child replies.
Translated by Kalina Duszka
Maria Duszka writes condensed, surprising, and memorable poems, reminiscent of Anna Świrszczyńska’s poetics, so enjoyed by Czesław Miłosz.
A similar sensitivity to human suffering, accuracy of metaphor, conciseness,
lack of unnecessary frills. She is a keen, unsentimental observer of life,
often describing the underbelly of reality and avoiding poetic clichés, which doesn’t mean she is unable to evoke moving scenes from her rural childhood in her lyrics. She skillfully juxtaposes low and high registers, sacrum and profanum, making
her poems vivid and touching life.
Józef Baran
Reprint of a review published in „Dziennik Polski” April 30, 2016.
182 LiryDram styczeń–marzec 2025