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The things they carr
They Carry a Promise Author: Janusz SzuberPage Count: UnknownPublication Date: 2015-PRH In "They Carry a Promise", Janusz Szuber's debut English collection, we are introduced to a poet whose voice is both deeply personal and universally relatable. Szuber, a Polish poet hailed by Nobel Laureate Wislawa Szymborska as "superb", has been crafting his unique brand of poetry for almost thirty years, and this collection marks a significant milestone in his literary journey. At its core, "They Carry a Promise" is a meditation on the human condition, an exploration of the intricacies of life, history, and the natural world. Szuber's poetry is characterized by its intense quiet and modesty, a reflection of his introspective nature and his tendency to observe the world around him with a sense of wonder and awe. His poems are short, accessible, and elegantly crafted, often blurring the lines between the rigors of making poetry and the messy glory of life itself. Throughout the collection, Szuber's verse is marked by a deep sense of longing and yearning. He writes about the physical world with a sense of reverence, seeking to capture the beauty of the natural world in all its complexity. In one poem, he writes, "I'd prefer something less ambiguous: / The bony parachutes of leaves, / The flame of goosefoot, from a frosty page / A star bent over me." This sense of longing is not just limited to the natural world; Szuber also writes about human relationships, history, and the passage of time with a sense of melancholy and introspection. One of the most striking aspects of Szuber's poetry is his use of imagery and metaphor. His poems are filled with vivid descriptions of the natural world, from the "bony parachutes of leaves" to the "froth of blossoming apple trees". These images are not just decorative; they are often used to convey deeper truths about the human condition. In one poem, Szuber writes, "Who will carve her fragile profile / in ivory . . . Who in truthful verse will briefly tell / of eternity, impermanent as a broken fan?" This poem is a beautiful example of Szuber's ability to use imagery and metaphor to explore complex themes and emotions. The translations by Ewa Hryniewicz-Yarbrough are a significant aspect of this collection. Her translations are not only accurate but also lyrical, capturing the musicality and nuance of Szuber's original Polish verse. Her work is a testament to the power of translation to bring new voices and perspectives to readers around the world. In "They Carry a Promise", Janusz Szuber has given us a gift: a collection of poems that are both deeply personal and universally relatable. His poetry is a reflection of his unique voice and perspective, and it is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the complexity and beauty of the human experience. #PolishPoetry #JanuszSzuber #TheyCarryAPromise #PoetryInTranslation #EuropeanLiterature #ContemporaryPoetry