The Visuality of Hortus Mirabilis in Krystyna Miłobędzka’s Poetry—A Study of Selected Examples

Krystyna Miłobędzka (born 1932) is one of the most interesting and unique phenomena Polish poetry scene 20th 21st centuries. Two characteristics her poetry, visual character many poems preoccupation with concept garden-world, are worth a closer look. Miłobędzka’s refers to topoï garden-world in single cycles poetic texts. Her hortus mirabilis, inserts itself into sphere metaphysical reflection nature, giving specific dynamic which “I”—the gardener—has significant role as an observer, creator entities. The activity looking, happens, fact, all types verbs aspects, this (look, watch, see), fundamental defining oneself world world’s relationship oneself. In perspective, image garden from childhood, confronted by necessary new visualization. temporal aspect at center existence, cyclical return nature’s laws rebirth death, relevant personal, singular perspective end volumes. Anaglify (Anaglyphs), some particularly fit issue visuality not only conceptual level, place granted observation, poet-particular but poem itself. They conceived graphic pictorial realizations. Poems volume dwanaście wierszy w kolorze (twelve color) or wszystkowiersze (omnipoems) special cases these. selected words color, their arrangement on space page has meaning. parallel between looking writing, consistently uses writing method poetically admits, also very important. Although diction alludes historical avant-garde linguistic achievements, lyrical savoir-faire characterized certain minimalist construction separate, recognizable style. innovativeness lies combining seemingly distant sometimes opposite categories: full, ambiguous image-in-poem asceticism means expression, such minimal number words. deeply rooted perceiving, seeing, watching, contemplating world—faithful its physicality open essential questions philosophy asking about existence limits. This visibility elements reflected authentic delight “visualizing” form, where becomes plane sheet paper becoming side house wall mural poem.