The collection portrays a woman, amidst an immersive and painful drama about the exceptionality of poetry and life.

Poetry  |  English sample translation available

The fourth collection of poems by Simona Racková observes, through the author’s eyes, the world in a way that is pleasantly civilian, yet far from trivial. She does not notice only light and happy days, she also looks into the depths and the dark “vacant lots” of relationships and life. Astonishment, passion and desire are the fundamental elements of, not only, this collection, but also Simona’s work as a whole. Questions here are formulated timidly, but also screamed, “How will we recognise each other when we are born the next time?“ “How many children and lovers will come and pass?” “How long does it take to forgive?” “Don’t fight, love!” urges the poet, who keeps both the quivering and fixed strokes of her images in balance. Women (and femininity) are thematised, perhaps in all of their forms and roles – as mother, daughter, wife, lover, sister, and friend – each participating in the poems’ compact dramas. This, thoughtfully composed collection is accompanied with watercolours by painter Karel Demel.

Simona Racková (1976) is a poet, editor and literary reviewer. She studied Czech Language and Literature at Charles University in Prague. Racková has edited a number of poetry anthologies and four collections of her poems have been published. She won the international Dresden Lyrics Prize in 2016 and the Czech-Slovak Básne / Básně competition in 2017. Her poems have been translated into nine languages. Racková has danced her whole life, and currently, focuses on flamenco.