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"The End and the Beginning" by Wislawa Szymborska

 Note: This post was written by A. Chiasson, a student at FranU, in 2024.

Szymborska wrote “The End and the Beginning” about the aftermath of a war. She describes citizens having to clean up the streets, carry away the bodies, and rebuild the city. I think this poem could be therapeutic for anyone who has lived through a major historical event, such as a war or natural disaster and is struggling to find closure. Particularly for those of us living in Louisiana, this poem could be therapeutic for someone who has lived through a major flood or hurricane. As with a war, those who are affected by a harsh storm will have to work towards emotional recovery and healing, as well as having to literally rebuild the community. 

Szymborska begins the poem by describing the work that is required to clean up after a war. There is rubble to be cleared away, bodies to be buried, and buildings to be repaired. In gruesome detail, she writes “Someone has to get mired / in scum and ashes, / sofa springs, / splintered glass / and bloody rags.” Similarly, all of these things must be done after a storm as well. If you were around during hurricane Katrina or the 2016 flood, you may remember what it was like trying to straighten up the aftermath. Someone has to bring the water damaged furniture out to the street, clear away all the mud and grime, and rebuild the structure of the house. By writing about these things, Szymborska helps readers to see the value behind their work. Even though it is not pretty, and “all the cameras have left,” it is still necessary to help restore the city that many people live in and love.

Additionally, Szymborska emphasizes the fact that such events are often forgotten by most people rather quickly, but those most affected by it will remember it forever. She writes “Those who knew / what was going on here / must make way for those who know little. / And less than little. / And finally as little as nothing.” Although people can pass down stories of the event, no one will ever truly understand it or see the significance behind it unless they were there. I think that through this poem, Szymborska is assuring readers that it is ok if not everyone fully comprehends the tragedy of the event. In fact, they are fortunate that they will only hear about it in stories and did not have to experience it firsthand.

Finally, Szymborska implies that finding closure after a disaster is not always about playing the blame game or looking for revenge, but the main focus should be on establishing peace for the younger generation. She writes “In the grass that has overgrown / causes and effects, / someone must be stretched out / blade of grass in his mouth / gazing at the clouds.” After Hurricane Katrina, it was found that most of the flooding happened as a result of a poorly designed levee system, and The U.S Army Corps of Engineers was blamed for the disaster (Britannica, 2024). While it is important for those at fault to be held responsible and to correct their mistakes, I think Szymborska is speaking to the fact that it is not beneficial for those affected by a tragedy to hold a grudge against the ones who caused it. What is most important is working to reestablish peace and security for everyone. 

While there are a multitude of people in Louisiana who are still trying to repair physical or emotional damage caused by storms or hurricanes of the past couple decades, Szymborska’s poem offers a potentially therapeutic reading to them. She describes people who are committed to their city and community, willing to restore it no matter how hard the work might be. She speaks of a new beginning that is always available even after the most tragic ends.

Works Cited

Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Hurricane Katrina". Encyclopedia Britannica, 5 Nov. 2024, https://www.britannica.com/event/Hurricane-Katrina. Accessed 8 November 2024. 

Wisława Szymborska, "The End and the Beginning." Miracle Fair, translated by Joanna Trzeciak, 2001. The End and the Beginning | The Poetry Foundation

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