Poems late in June 2021 – Part 1 I’ve been thinking about joy and presence The Polish poet, Adam Zagajewski, and his poem ‘Try to Praise the Mutilated World’ The word ‘mutilated’ has troubled me since I first read the poem years ago, and after seeing Cronenberg’s film ‘Crash’ (1996) ‘Mutilate’ – maimed, disfigure, cut-off - but before that, the word has an uncertain origin Try to Praise the Mutilated World (2002) by Adam Zagajewski, translated by Clare Cavanagh Try to praise the mutilated world. Remember June's long days, and wild strawberries, drops of rosé wine. The nettles that methodically overgrow the abandoned homesteads of exiles. You must praise the mutilated world. You watched the stylish yachts and ships; one of them had a long trip ahead of it, while salty oblivion awaited others. You've seen the refugees going nowhere, you've heard the executioners sing joyfully. You should praise the mutilated world. Remember t