Vaĺžyna Mort: A Poet between Two Continents

Abstract

Vaĺžyna Mort is one of the most talented Belarusian poets in emigration. The aim of this article is to analyse the works of this poet written before and after her emigration to the United States. Amongst works discussed are: Factory of Tears (a bilingual edition, 2008), Collected Body (works only in English, 2011) and Epidemija ružaŭ (2017). Mort’s best poems to date include Belaruskaja mova I and Belaruskaja mova II, Rafalu Vajačaku, Fabryka slioz / Factory of Tears, Scena siaredniaviečnaj vajny (pavodlie adnajmiennaj karciny Dega, Mužčyny prychodziać jak ličby ŭ kalendary..., Na pliažach Flarydy, N’iu Jork and Uspaminy; prominent amongst her prose works are Hopniki and Ciotka Hanna; of her English-language mentioned are Photograph and A Portrait of a Mother in Fall. Mort’s exceptional talent is for use of her native language and for exceptionally vivid imagery, for unusually perceptive descriptions as well as a profoundly ironic view of the banal aspects of both Belarusian and American life: she also possesses a most touching ability to describe her family. Very open in writing about her body and human physical functions in general, she is one of the most memorable Belarusian poets living today.