Jan_twardowski_spieszmy_sie_kochac_ludzi_tak_sz... May 2026

Learn more about the life of the "Priest Who Wrote Poems" via his biography on Culture.pl.

Hurry to Love: Lessons from Jan Twardowski’s Most Famous Poem "Let us hurry to love people, they depart so quickly."

Put the phone away and look people in the eye. jan_twardowski_spieszmy_sie_kochac_ludzi_tak_sz...

For a deeper dive into the metaphors of the poem, check out the archives at the National Library of Poland (BN).

You can read the full Polish text of the poem on Poezja.org. Learn more about the life of the "Priest

Jan Twardowski’s poem, ("Let us hurry to love people, they depart so quickly"), is perhaps the most famous piece of contemporary Polish poetry. It has become a universal anthem for mindfulness, empathy, and the fragility of human existence.

The core message of the poem is a warning against the illusion of time. Twardowski writes, "Nie bądź pewny że czas masz bo pewność niepewna" ("Do not be sure you have time, for uncertain certainty robs us of sensitivity"). You can read the full Polish text of the poem on Poezja

While many associate this poem with mourning, its message is equally about the . Twardowski notes that "those who do not depart do not always return." People change; circumstances shift. The person you love today might not be the same person a year from now.