The Three Oddest Words"When I pronounce the word Future, the first syllable already belongs to the past. When I pronounce the word Silence, I destroy it. When I pronounce the word Nothing, I make something no nonbeing can hold."
by Wisława Szymborska
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In her work "Monologue of a Dog," Wisława Szymborska reflects on the complexity and paradoxes inherent in language through three unique words. She highlights how saying "Future" instantly ties it to the past, indicating that the act of speaking about the future immediately transforms it into something that has already begun to unfold. This observation underlines the fleeting nature of time and how our words are often tied to our experiences and memories.

Similarly, Szymborska explores the concept of "Silence." By uttering the word, she paradoxically breaks the very silence she refers to, showcasing the power of language to disrupt and alter reality. The word "Nothing" also poses a contradiction; by naming it, one creates a notion of "something," suggesting that language shapes our understanding of existence, even in the realm of absence. Ultimately, Szymborska invites readers to ponder the intricacies of meaning, existence, and the limitations of expression.

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February 27, 2025

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