The Forest as a character in a collection of poems: a being complicated, comprehensive and immensely tempting, the Forest is both a lover and a magician, both an observer and a discreet initiator of action.

Poetry

In her third collection, Jitka N. Srbová raises the term “mono-thematic” to a new level. She uses such methods as anthropomorphism and personification, presenting the mystical character of the Forest as an unconventional being, full of opposites; although this being is fragile and endangered, he is flourishing, open to visitors, but still defensive against trespassers. The Forest does not forget debts, and yet, his hands are open, giving away everything he has. The city, standing “opposite him”, is only a very feeble rival, and journeys by train, connecting both poles of this exceptional collection of poems, are the moments when a wanderer of the world can attain understanding and awakening.

Jitka N. Srbová (1976), poet. She graduated from the Faculty of Humanities, Charles University. Srbová is the leading personality of the Czech internet poetry community and her poems are part of several anthologies. She was in charge of an internet literary magazine, Wagon on-line and has published the collections of poems Někdo se loudá po psím (Someone Takes Dog-tired Strolls) (2011), Světlo vprostřed těla (Light at the Heart of the Body) (2013) and Les (The Forest) (2016). Srbová works as a copywriter.