Anna Świrszczyńska

Anna Świrszczyńska (1909-1984) was a Polish poet whose works deal with a variety of themes, including her experiences during World War II, motherhood, the female body, and sensuality. She was born in Warsaw and grew up as the poor daughter of an artist. She began publishing her poems in the 1930's. During the Nazi occupation of Poland she joined the Polish resistance movement in World War II and was a military nurse during the Warsaw Uprising. She also wrote for underground publications and once waited 60 minutes to be executed. Csesław Miłosz writes of knowing her during this time and has translated a volume of her work (see citation below). Her experiences during the war influenced her poetry a great deal. In 1974 she published Building the Barricade, a volume of work which describes the pain and suffering she witnessed and experienced during that time. She also writes frankly about the female body in various stages of life.

List of Works (Volumes of Poetry)

• Wind (1970)

• I am a Woman (1972)

• Building the Barricade (1974)

• Happy as a Dog's Tail (1978)

• Suffering and Joy (1985)

• Talking to my Body (1996)