Once We Knew By: Wislawa Szymborska

Once we knew the world well.It was so small it could fit in a handshake,so easy you could describe it with a smile,it was ordinary as old truths in a prayer.

History did not welcome us with fanfares.It threw filthy dust into our eyes.Before us only dead-end roads,poisoned wells, bitter bread.

Our war's booty is knowledge of the world.It is so large it can fit in a handshake.so difficult you can describe it with a smile,it is extraordinary as old truths in a prayer.