Wisława Szymborska

UTOPIA

Island where it all becomes clear
solid ground beneath your feet
the only roads are those that offer access
bushes bend beneath the weight of proofs
the tree of valid supposition grows here
with branches disentangled since time immemorial
the tree of understanding, dazzingly straight and simple
sprouts by the spring called now i get it
the thicker the woods, the vaster the vista
the valley of obviously if any doubts arise,
the wind dispels them instantly echoes stir unsummoned
and eagerly explain all the secrets of the worlds
on the right a cave where meaning lies
on the left the lake of deep conviction
truth breaks from the bottom and bobs to the surface
unshakable confidence towers over the valley
it's peak offers an excellent view of the essence of things
for all its charms, the island is uninhabited
and the faint footprints scattered on its beaches
turn without exception to the sea
all you can do here is leave
and plunge, never to return, into the depths,
into unfathomable life ....
Translated by Stanislaw Baranczak and Clare Cavanagh