Jaroslav Seifert (Czech Poet, Essayist, Memoirist, and Journalist)

Jaroslav Seifert, a poet, was the only Czech Nobel Prize winner for literature. He was born in 1901 in the working class suburb of Zizkov and he was compelled by the less fortunate, poorer environment.

Jaroslav Seifert had a writing career that lasted about 60 years and he was known as a very charming, imaginative, lyrical, perpetual, productive, raw writer. He very much believed in the power of Freedom of Speech. In addition, Jaroslav had many styles when it came to his literature writings, such as working class poetry, writings for the radicals, poems commemorating women, and deeply, serious verses pertained to honoring his homeland.

However, many of Jaroslav's strong messaged writings have not been published despite several attempts because his works were spoiled by censorship and publishing financial problems. Also, english speaking critics did not fully understand his brillant work and found it difficult to translate because his rhymes were so precise.

Many people have their own thoughts and ideas on Seifert's degree and skill as a poet. Seifert is referred to sometimes as a forgetable, small, weak poet who did not make a larger impact on his generation. Also, there are some people that say Jaroslav Seifert received the prestigious, Nobel Prize for simply political reasons instead of worthy respect.  In 1984, Jaroslav Seifert was awarded the honorable Nobel Prize for literature. Although, authorities were extremely reluctant in publishing his works, they did so in a poor, censored, unnatural version. Even after two decades since his death, his most famous, realistic, collected works still remain unpublished.

Regardless, Jaroslav Seifert is a poet and is remembered by what he has done. One Czech critic Milan Kundera praises Seifert's poetry as "tangible proof of the genius of the nation, the only glory of the powerless." The Nobel Prize described Jaroslav's work as the "freshness and versatility of man."  He remains an admirer to many and his works are close to the heart of various ages of Czechs who strongly value his love poetry.

Jaroslav Seifert was a Czech writing pioneer and he passed away in 1986. He was buried at the municipal cemetery in Kralupy nad Vltavou.

Small Excerpt from Poetry of Jaroslav Seifert

And in this metamorphosis

a spell binds him to woman's love

a single second is enough

like a stream in a retort to hiss

obedient to the alchemist

and drops dead as a hunted dove.