people walking on sidewalk with reflection in puddle with black text

Love at First Sight

by Wislawa Szymborska Author, Beatrice Gasca Queirazza Illustrator and Clare Cavanagh Translator

This explores the themes of love, chance, and destiny, challenging the notion of love at first sight. It tells the story of two young lovers who are convinced their connection is sudden and fated, but as the poem progresses, their certainty is questioned. The narrative uncovers the mysteries of fate, randomness, and memory, suggesting that the smallest details of life matter more than the question of whether we are meant for each other. The poem ultimately emphasizes that every beginning is just a continuation of something deeper and more complex.