Hatred Poem by Wislawa Szymborska

Hatred

Rating: 4.9


See how efficient it still is,
how it keeps itself in shape—
our century's hatred.
How easily it vaults the tallest obstacles.
How rapidly it pounces, tracks us down.

It's not like other feelings.
At once both older and younger.
It gives birth itself to the reasons
that give it life.
When it sleeps, it's never eternal rest.
And sleeplessness won't sap its strength; it feeds it.


One religion or another -
whatever gets it ready, in position.
One fatherland or another -
whatever helps it get a running start.
Justice also works well at the outset
until hate gets its own momentum going.
Hatred. Hatred.
Its face twisted in a grimace
of erotic ecstasy…

Hatred is a master of contrast-
between explosions and dead quiet,
red blood and white snow.
Above all, it never tires
of its leitmotif - the impeccable executioner
towering over its soiled victim.

It's always ready for new challenges.
If it has to wait awhile, it will.
They say it's blind. Blind?
It has a sniper's keen sight
and gazes unflinchingly at the future
as only it can.

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
George Hill 09 September 2015

I couldn't read through this(no entertainment value) .-Albert George Vinny

2 11 Reply
Mahtab Bangalee 22 April 2019

great thought - Justice also works well at the outset until hate gets its own momentum going..../// love it

1 2 Reply
Kumarmani Mahakul 22 April 2020

It's always ready for new challenges. If it has to wait awhile, it will.......nice perception. Beautiful poem chosen as the modern poem of the poem of the day. Congratulations to the family of Wislawa Szymborska.

2 1 Reply
Manpreet Singh 22 April 2019

Hatred is a master of contrast- between explosions and dead quiet, red blood and white snow. May God have mercy on the souls of those who died in bomb blasts in Sri Lanka.

1 1 Reply
Julia Luber 22 April 2019

Perhaps hatred comes from true witness of murder, of violation of a child, true knowledge of pure trespass a friend committed on another; perhaps hatred has a moral core, and this is what makes it so consuming and intoxicating and contagious, because not everybody knows it's true core, but anybody can be swept away by its power.

1 1 Reply
Sandra Feldman 02 September 2022

Superb poem! So well written and expressed that even the practicing devils of evil can understand, its pernicious, effect, ! Very, very long reaching and great! ! !

0 0 Reply
Chinedu Dike 01 September 2022

A thoughtful write, well articulated and nicely executed.

0 0 Reply
Carlos Echeverria 22 April 2020

Timeless as its subject matter.

0 0 Reply
Dr Antony Theodore 22 April 2020

Justice also works well at the outset until hate gets its own momentum going. Hatred. Hatred. Its face twisted in a grimace of ecstasy… Its face twisted in a grimace..... hatred. true expression of hatred. tony

2 1 Reply
Catherine Habbie 22 April 2020

A very thoughtful poem

0 2 Reply
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