A cover of the collection of poems by Tadeusz Różewicz, "The History of Five Poems", designed by Patrycja Margasińska
Historia pięciu wierszy/ The History of Five Poems is the fourth publication of works by Tadeusz Różewicz published by the Biuro Literackie Publishing House
The volume of 108 pages includes, as the title suggests, five poems by Tadeusz Różewicz: "Kartka wydarta z dziennika" / "A Page Torn from a Diary, przypomnienie" / "recollection, "Zwierciadło" / "A Mirror, Woda w garnuszku, Niagara i autoironia" / "Water in a Mug, Niagara and Self-Irony", "patyczek" / "a stick" and "Dezerterzy" / "Deserters".
The final versions of the poems are preceded by manuscripts of subsequent variants, filled with deletions and notes, with alternative titles, and finally corrections made on the typescript. The reader has a unique opportunity to get familiar with the "maturing" process of a poem "in contrast with the common concept of a poetic inspiration". For example, there are three manuscript versions of the poem "recollection" reprinted in the publication (the manuscript of this poem is displayed on the book's cover) as well as one typewritten copy, and each of them is slightly different. The poem took its final shape when it was published in the journal Twórczość (no. 2/1993) and Utwory zebrane. Poezja 3/ Collected Works. Poetry 3 (Wydawnictwo Dolnośląskie, 2006). This version is reprinted in the new publication - the differences between the manuscript reprinted on the cover are clearly noticeable.
The collection was edited by Jan Stolarczyk, long-term editor-in-chief of Wydawnictwo Dolnośląskie, and Bogusław Michnik. Jan Stolarczyk reviewed the volume in Uwagi edytorskie/ The Editorial Commentaries.
Tadeusz Różewicz often submits manuscripts or typescripts with handwritten notes to the editorial offices or publishers. Although the manuscripts are legible, some letters (the initial ones in particular) can be considered as small or capital, while spaces as made between stanzas or verses. Many ambiguities arise. At times a person who types a poem makes mistakes. The author himself does not always pay close attention to the edition of his works. Professional men of letters are often the best trackers. Editors usually do not dare to ask the poet about "minor details", thus they rely on conjectures.
The History of Five Poems was first published in a bibliophilic edition in 1993 by Kłodzki Ośrodek Kultury. The publication was never distributed on a large scale.
"When it turned out that we would publish the manuscript of 'The Card Index', I immediately thought about making 'Five Poems' available to readers", says Artur Burszta, Biuro Literackie Director about the decision to publish the collection. The book includes a short afterword by Bogusław Michnik, long-term Director of Kłodzki Ośrodek Kultury, where between 1961 and 1970 the famous Kłodzko Poetic Springs were hosted, which can be compared to today's Port Wrocław literary festival. Artur Burszta designed the graphics and Patrycja Margasińska is the author of the cover and composition.
- Tadeusz Różewicz
The History of Five Poems / Historia pięciu wierszy
Publisher: Biuro Literackie, Wrocław, March 2011
210 x 297, 108 pp., paperback
ISBN: 978-83-62006-27-4