'Still' by Wislawa Szymborska
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In sealed box cars travel
names across the land,
and how far they will travel so,
and will they ever get out,
don't ask, I won't say, I don't know.The name Nathan strikes fist against wall,
the name Isaac, demented, sings,
the name Sarah calls out for water for
the name Aaron that's dying of thirst.Don't jump while it's moving, name David.
You're a name that dooms to defeat,
given to no one, and homeless,
too heavy to bear in this land.Let your son have a Slavic name,
for here they count hairs on the head,
for here they tell good from evil
by names and by eyelids' shape.Don't jump while it's moving. Your son will be Lech.
Don't jump while it's moving. Not time yet.
Don't jump. The night echoes like laughter
mocking clatter of wheels upon tracks.A cloud made of people moved over the land,
a big cloud gives a small rain, one tear,
a small rain-one tear, a dry season.
Tracks lead off into black forest.Cor-rect, cor-rect clicks the wheel. Gladeless forest.
Cor-rect, cor-rect. Through the forest a convoy of clamors.
Cor-rect, cor-rect. Awakened in the night I hear
cor-rect, cor-rect, crash of silence on silence.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Power of Stillness in Wislawa Szymborska's "Still"
Introduction
When we think of poetry, we often think of colorful imagery, elaborate metaphors, and complex wordplay. Yet, sometimes the most powerful poems are the simplest ones. Such is the case with Wislawa Szymborska's "Still," a poem that appears to be about nothing at all, but upon closer examination, reveals a profound message about the human condition.
The Poem
Here is the poem "Still" in its entirety:
Still, though a storm is blowing from paradise.
Still, after all that has happened, the sun does not shine.
The description of the poem is uncomplicated. It is a short, two-stanza poem that reflects on the stillness that can be felt in the aftermath of a great event, such as a storm or a tragedy. The language is simple, and there are no complex metaphors or allusions.
Analysis of the Poem
At first glance, "Still" may seem like a simple description of a quiet moment. But when we examine the poem more closely, we can see that it is actually a profound meditation on the nature of human existence.
The poem begins with the word "Still," which is repeated in the second stanza. This repetition serves to emphasize the idea of stillness and its persistence even in the midst of chaos. The storm "blowing from paradise" and the lack of sunshine are both symbols of turmoil and destruction, yet the stillness persists.
The poem's use of negative imagery, such as the storm and lack of sunshine, is balanced by the positive imagery of stillness. This creates a sense of tension and uncertainty that reflects the human experience. The poem seems to suggest that even when everything is falling apart, there is still something to hold onto: the stillness within us.
The last line of the poem is particularly powerful. The fact that the sun does not shine implies that there is no hope for things to get better, yet the stillness persists. This suggests that even when all hope is lost, there is still something to hold onto: the stillness within us.
The poem also has a religious undertone. The storm "blowing from paradise" suggests that the source of the turmoil is divine in nature. This creates a sense of uncertainty and dread, as if the poem is suggesting that even God can't control the chaos of the world. The persistence of the stillness, however, suggests that there is something greater than God, something that exists beyond our understanding.
Interpretation of the Poem
"Still" is a poem about the power of stillness in the face of chaos. It suggests that even when everything seems to be falling apart, there is still something to hold onto: the stillness within us. This stillness is not the absence of movement or sound, but rather a state of mind that allows us to be present in the moment and find peace in the midst of chaos.
The poem's religious undertones suggest that the source of the chaos is divine in nature, but the persistence of the stillness suggests that there is something greater than God, something that exists beyond our understanding. This could be interpreted as a call for us to look beyond our limited understanding of the world and embrace the mystery of existence.
The poem can also be interpreted as a reflection on the human condition. We are constantly bombarded by chaos and turmoil, yet we have the capacity to find stillness within ourselves. This stillness is what allows us to find meaning and purpose in our lives, even when everything else seems to be falling apart.
Conclusion
"Still" is a deceptively simple poem that contains a profound message about the human condition. It reminds us that even in the midst of chaos and turmoil, there is still something to hold onto: the stillness within us. This stillness is what allows us to find meaning and purpose in our lives, even in the darkest of times.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Still: A Masterpiece of Wislawa Szymborska
Wislawa Szymborska, the Polish poet, essayist, and translator, is one of the most celebrated literary figures of the 20th century. Her works are known for their simplicity, wit, and profound insights into the human condition. Among her many poems, Poetry Still stands out as a masterpiece that captures the essence of poetry and its enduring power.
Poetry Still is a short poem that consists of only six lines, yet it manages to convey a deep and complex message. The poem begins with the line, "I'll try to say this as briefly as possible." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is concise and to the point. Szymborska is not interested in flowery language or elaborate metaphors; she wants to get straight to the heart of the matter.
The second line of the poem reads, "It's true that when it comes to poetry, I'm a bit of a dunce." This line is both self-deprecating and ironic. Szymborska, who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1996, is anything but a dunce when it comes to poetry. However, she is acknowledging that poetry is a vast and complex art form that even the most accomplished poets can never fully master.
The third and fourth lines of the poem read, "But I know this: birds sing in the morning, / and poets still make poems." These lines are the heart of the poem, and they capture the essence of poetry's enduring power. The image of birds singing in the morning is a timeless one, and it represents the beauty and joy that poetry can bring to our lives. The fact that poets still make poems despite the challenges and difficulties they face is a testament to the resilience and persistence of the human spirit.
The fifth line of the poem reads, "That's enough for me." This line is a simple yet powerful statement that encapsulates Szymborska's attitude towards poetry. She is not interested in grandiose claims or lofty ideals; she is content with the simple pleasures that poetry can bring. For her, the fact that poetry still exists and continues to inspire people is enough.
The final line of the poem reads, "The world's still full of beauty, and it's still worth writing about." This line is a hopeful and optimistic statement that reminds us of the beauty and wonder that still exists in the world. Despite all the challenges and difficulties we face, there is still beauty to be found, and poetry can help us to appreciate and celebrate it.
Overall, Poetry Still is a masterpiece of poetry that captures the essence of the art form and its enduring power. Szymborska's concise and direct style, combined with her profound insights into the human condition, make this poem a timeless classic that will continue to inspire and delight readers for generations to come.
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