“Nothing can ever happen twice.

In consequence, the sorry fact is

that we arrive here improvised

and leave without the chance to practice.”

These are the opening lines of Wisława Szymborska’s poem “Nothing Twice” that can now be viewed in Polish on the side of the newly opened Szymborska Park. If you would like to read the full translation of the poem- visit this page.

 Wisława Szymborska was a celebrated poet in Poland for most of her life, but shot to international fame when she was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1996. While she was born on July 2, 1923 in Poznan, she eventually moved to Krakow where she became a much beloved citizen and resident of the city. And it was here that she died in 2012.

Now, Krakow is paying homage to her, by naming their newest park after her. Wisława Szymborska Park is located on Karmelicka Street, and offers a garden oasis to city residents near the Old Town. It is here that her poem “Nothing Twice” is being immortalized as Krakow’s newest piece of street art.

Filled with images modeled after Szymborska’s many collages- and themes of her work, the poem provides an inspiration for inflection here at just one of the many entrances into the park.

Visit the mural by going to Karmelicka 24b; an 8-minute walk from the Main Square in Krakow.

Don’t forget- if you have any questions about Krakow- get in touch! You can find us on all social media @KrakowExplorers or contact us here. 

@krakowexplorers

5️⃣0️⃣0️⃣➕ Things to do in Krakow (5/500) Visit the mural at Szymborska Park with the poet’s work titled “Nothing Twice” featured: As promised, we are back with our fifth recommendation- really an extension of yesterday’s, but we believe this new piece of street art really deserves its own place on the list. This amazing- and HUGE- mural features Wisława Szymborska’s poem “Nothing Twice” in Polish of course! And the art that accompanies it, is actually inspired by many of the collages Szymborska created! This new piece of street art in Krakow adds to the park itself, and reminds us why Krakow was named a UNESCO city of literature. (Located at Karmelicka 24b) In case you go to visit and need an English translation of this beautiful poem- here it is… 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. No day copies yesterday,
no two nights will teach what bliss is
in precisely the same way,
with precisely the same kisses. One day, perhaps some idle tongue
mentions your name by accident:
I feel as if a rose were flung
into the room, all hue and scent. The next day, though you’re here with me,
I can’t help looking at the clock:
A rose? A rose? What could that be?
Is it a flower or a rock? Why do we treat the fleeting day
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. #krakow #thingstodoinkrakow #freewalkingtoursinkrakow

♬ Poetry – Robert Qwarforth