Nothing Twice... Poetry for once
Sorry fact, philosophy or just expressing feelings?
Nothing can ever happen twice.
In consequence, the sorry fact is
that we arrive here improvised
and leave without the chance to practice.
Even if there is no one dumber,
if you're the planet's biggest dunce,
you can't repeat the class in summer:
this course is only offered once.
"Nic dwa razy" by Wisława Szymborska
I allowed myself to share with you a fragment of one of the most famous poems of a Polish poet and recipient of the 1996 Nobel Prize in Literature hoping that you might want to reflect on its message and the role of poetry in life in general and if you are not really into poetry, for once you might understand why I and other people are!
If you ever wrote a poem, you might agree that poetry often serves as a medium for conveying emotions. However, it transcends mere sentimentality.
Poetry can encapsulate the essence of our existence, offering insights into the complexities of life, love, loss, and the passage of time. It acts as a mirror, reflecting the human condition and allowing us to explore our deepest thoughts and emotions.
Moreover, poetry serves as a means for contemplation and introspection. It encourages us to pause, ponder, and perceive the world through a different lens. In the famous poem "Nothing Twice," Szymborska urges us to appreciate the fleeting nature of time and the beauty inherent in every moment. Through her words, we are reminded of the preciousness of life and the importance of living fully in the present.
Is it not true that poetry can connect us with others profoundly?
It serves as a universal language that transcends cultural and linguistic barriers, fostering empathy and understanding. Through the shared experience of poetry, we find a comforting message that our joys and sorrows are not unique to us alone.
In essence, poetry is more than just a means of expressing feelings; it is a source of wisdom and empathy. It offers glimpses of truth and beauty in a world often fraught with uncertainty and chaos.
As we experience moments of doubt, poetry can serve as a guiding light, illuminating the path forward with its timeless wisdom and profound insights. So, if you are into philosophy, you might appreciate the idea expressed in the poem "Nothing Twice". It aligns with several concepts, particularly those concerning existentialism and phenomenology.
The poem underscores the existentialist notion of the uniqueness of each moment and the irreplaceable nature of individual experiences. Existentialists argue that life is inherently fleeting and that the human condition is characterised by a sense of existential angst stemming from the awareness of mortality and the transient nature of existence. Similarly, "Nothing Twice" highlights the impermanence of life and the importance of embracing the present moment.
“Nothing twice” invites us to reflect on their perceptions and interpretations of reality. Phenomenologists argue that reality is constructed through subjective experiences and that our understanding of the world is shaped by our consciousness. In this context, poetry serves as a medium for exploring and articulating these subjective experiences, offering insights into the human psyche and the complexities of perception.
Both existentialism and phenomenology emphasise the importance of subjective experience and the transient nature of our existence.
So, let us be reminded of the significance of living authentically, embracing the present moment, and finding meaning in the face of life's impermanence.
If you enjoyed this poem or disliked the sorry fact of its philosophy behind it, please share your thoughts with me. I’m interested to know…
If you enjoyed venturing into this reflection, let me expose you to the final lines of “Nothing Twice”:
with so much needless fear and sorrow?
It's in its nature not to stay:
today is always gone tomorrow.
With smiles and kisses,
we prefer to seek accord beneath our star,
although we're different (we concur)
just as two drops of water are.
She is rather referring to humanity — we are so different - because of the differences we hurt one another, point out weaknesses whereas we are all only humans - so alike. Well, that’s just my simple viewing of that last verse…
Hmm... I'm good with all that -- up until the very last line: '...as different as two drops of water" ?!?
Don't you find that to be somewhat oxymoronic? And what's the significance that she ends with this?
I like to think that this is the sly Szymborska winking at us. She's so insistent throughout of uniqueness and impermanence and now, at the very end, she pulls the rug out in saying 'maybe not so much ' -- at least as regards her relationship with the unnamed other. She's stubbornly individualistic -- perhaps more like her lover than she'd care to admit.
I think