of poets and artists

Who Is a Poet

a poet is one who writes verses

and one who does not write verses

a poet is one who throws off fetters

and one who puts fetters on himself

a poet is one who believes

and one who cannot bring himself to believe

a poet is one who has told lies

and one who has been told lies

one who has been inclined to fall

and one who raises himself

a poet is one who tries to leave

and one who cannot leave

Translated from the Polish by Magnus J. Krynski and Robert A. Maguire

Rozewicz, Tadeusz. "Who Is a Poet" The Vintage Book of Contemporary World Poetry. New York: Vintage Books, 1996.

What Mr. Cogito Thinks About Hell

The lowest circle of hell. Contrary to popular opinion it is inhabited neither by despots nor matricides, nor even by those who go after the bodies of others. It is the refuge of artists, full of mirrors, musical instruments, and pictures. At first glance this is the most luxurious infernal department, without tar, fire, or physical tortures.

Throughout the year competitions, festivals, and concerts are held here. There is no climax in the season. The climax is permanent and almost absolute. Every few months new trends come into being and nothing, it appears, is capable of stopping the triumphant march of the avant-garde.

Beelzebub loves art. He boasts that already his choruses, his poets, and his painters are nearly superior to those of heaven. He who has better art has better government -- that's clear. Soon they will be able to measure their strength against one another at the Festival of the Two Worlds. And then we will see what remains of Dante, Fra Angelico, and Bach.

Beelzebub supports the arts. He provides his artists with calm, good board, and absolute isolation from hellish life.

Translated from the Polish by John Carpenter and Bogdana Carpenter

Herbert, Zbigniew. "What Mr. Cogito Thinks About Hell" The Vintage Book of Contemporary World Poetry. New York: Vintage Books, 1996.