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Contemplation
of World the
Agnieszka Kostuch
Hanami, Maria Duszka’s latest volume of poetry (2023), is a continuation of the poetics practiced by the author for years.
These are very balanced, even stoic poems. Therefore, the title chosen by the author for her latest collection didn’t surprise me at all. It fully reflects what poetry means to Dusz- ka and what it can also become for her read- ers. The term “hanami” refers to an old Jap- anese ritual of viewing cherry trees in bloom in March or April and watching their petals fall. The custom is still practiced in Japan as a kind of lesson about the beauty but also in- evitable transience of the world. We encounter this message in Duszka’s poems.
At times / I cannot breathe / overwhelmed by the beauty of the Word // and sometimes I cannot breathe / terrified by its cruelty1 Admiration is mixed with fear throughout the whole volume. They refer both to the very per- sonal experiences of the lyrical subject (the po- et’s alter ego), such as love and faith, and to global issues, such as war. humanity / occa- sionally / releases / a monster / devouring it 2 What’s important, Duszka doesn’t place re- sponsibility for all the evil in the world solely on these individual “monsters”. As we know, Hitler, and now Putin, wouldn’t create hell for entire nations on their own. Not to mention
mankind responsibility for the climate crisis. Duszka, although indirectly, writes about this: oh world so nutty // our toy / we disintegrate / and rectify 3
She also shows the absurdity of war in the sim- ple verses of the poem after watching a report from Ukraine:
Having Seen a News Report: on the War in Ukraine / the sun shines serenely /trees wear fresh Green // children shooting children / Mother Earth’s own 4
For some, the simplicity of her poems will be their shortcoming, for others – their strength. I love their subtlety and unhurriedness refer- ring to the title hanami. Moreover, I’m into the way Duszka describes her relationship with God.
sometimes God tests / my patience //
and sometimes / I test His 5
How well do we know these questions turn- ing into complaints: why does God not react to evil? This question is heard loudly through word of mouth, especially during war. Once again, Duszka indirectly seems to be trying to give us a possible answer (at least one com- ponent of that answer). Associations with the biblical story of Job come to mind. And the next poem, which is a kind of prayer, beauti- fully captures the nature of God:
186 LiryDram styczeń–marzec 2025