wislawa szymborska: witness the wonder

~ jama
“In the Orchard” by Pol Ledent
MIRACLE FAIR
by Wislawa Szymborska

Commonplace miracle:
that so many commonplace miracles happen.

An ordinary miracle:
in the dead of night
the barking of invisible dogs.

One miracle out of many:
a small, airy cloud
yet it can block a large and heavy moon.

Several miracles in one:
an alder tree reflected in the water,
and that it’s backwards left to right
and that it grows there, crown down
and never reaches the bottom,
even though the water is shallow.

An everyday miracle:
winds weak to moderate
turning gusty in storms.

First among equal miracles:
cows are cows.

Second to none:
just this orchard
from just that seed.

A miracle without a cape and top hat:
scattering white doves.

A miracle, for what else could you call it:
today the sun rose at three-fourteen
and will set at eight-o-one.

A miracle, less surprising than it should be:
even though the hand has fewer than six fingers,
it still has more than four.

A miracle, just take a look around:
the world is everywhere.

An additional miracle, as everything is additional:
the unthinkable
is thinkable.

~ translated from the Polish by Joanna Trzeciak, from Miracle Fair: Selected Poems of Wislawa Szymborska (Norton, 2001).
Hands of God and Adam/The Creation of Adam by Michelangelo (Sistine Chapel, 1512)

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I marvel at this poem, Szymborska’s distilled wisdom.

Except for the first and final stanzas, each centers on a concrete image — a cloud, an orchard, white doves. We pause in wonder, delighted at the refreshing perspective.

Find that quiet moment in yourself, tilt your head and your thinking. From the seemingly simple, the profound.

Friday miracle: a poem written by someone you don’t even know can feel like it was written just for you.

Wishing you peace, joy, and light in this season of miracles. Happy second Sunday of Advent and Happy Hanukkah!

“White Doves” by catf

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Lovely and talented Patricia Franz is hosting the Roundup at Reverie. Be sure to check out the full menu of poetic goodness being shared around the blogosphere this week. Enjoy your weekend!

*Copyright © 2023 Jama Rattigan of Jama’s Alphabet Soup. All rights reserved.

15 thoughts on “wislawa szymborska: witness the wonder”

  1. Jama, this is lovely. Such pleasure comes from viewing the world as overflowing with miracles. I particularly like the stanza about the tree’s reflection:
    an alder tree reflected in the water,
    and that it’s backwards left to right
    and that it grows there, crown down
    and never reaches the bottom,
    even though the water is shallow.
    Thank you for sharing!

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Szymborska always, always makes us see what’s important, what should (could?) be at the top of our lists. “look here” is this poem’s exhortation, and I do, Jama. Thank you for sharing, & the lovely Ledent painting, too.

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Jama, thank you for bringing this poem and the word miracle to the forefront. I will reflect on your thought, “Find that quiet moment in yourself, tilt your head and your thinking. From the seemingly simple, the profound.” It is a message of joy!

    Liked by 1 person

  10. To wonder… It may be the greatest gift we give children, anyone, ourselves? I stumbled upon Szymborska’s work last year and every time I’m offered one of her poems, it delights me. She questions the ordinary, making all extraordinary. Thank you for this reminder, Jama!

    Liked by 1 person

  11. You have previously presented the work of Wislawa Szymborska, Jama and I have found her writing of poetry to be such an engrossing thing to read. In this poem, the poet re-imagines miracles and provides the reader with renewed perspective and deeper appreciation of her undoubted talent. I am copying this into my notebook and letting it melt into my heart in the hope it delivers further inspiration.

    Liked by 1 person

  13. I just love “In The Orchard,” as well as the rest of your post. “Friday miracle: a poem written by someone you don’t even know can feel like it was written just for you.” — very well said! xo

    Liked by 1 person

  14. I think we are meant to wonder and find miracles everyday. Why not? For if we do anything else, we wallow in despair. Thanks for sharing this miracle of a poem.

    Liked by 1 person

  15. Pingback: 2023 Poetry Friday Archive | Jama's Alphabet Soup

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