Golota writes poem for Szymborska

The death of the 88 year-old Nobel prize winner on 1 February brought condolences and moving tributes from celebrities and dignitaries the world over, including Woddy Allen among many examples.

Now Andrzej Golota, who fought Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield during his long career, has written his own tribute to the poet who he apparently met once in a restaurant.

Golota will not be alongside President Bronislaw Komorowski, Prime Minister Donald Tusk and leading dignitaries from Poland’s cultural scene at Szymborska’s funeral at the Rakowicki cemetery in Krakow, which begins at noon on Thursday, Gazeta Krakowska reports.

But he will be sending 89 white roses and a brief poem in honour of the poet who won the Nobel Prize for Literature.

For Ms Szymborska
You will not be in my corner,
Even though you were never in the ring,
Only the verses remain,
‘Thank you’ will be never enough

Invitations to the funeral have been sent to Umberto Eco, Woody Allen, Nobel laureate and Irish poet Seamus Heaney. (pg)