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March 21, 2026
Maša Seničić, Simona Dmitrović and Milena Marković: What it means to be a poet today
The first known signature in the history of poetry belongs to a woman.
TL;DR
- The first known signature in poetry history belongs to a woman, Mesopotamian priestess Enheduana.
- Three contemporary Serbian poets—Milena Marković, Maša Seničić, and Simona Dmitrović—discuss the current state and meaning of poetry.
- Milena Marković views poetry as a life-saving, meaning-giving art form that has not changed fundamentally, emphasizing writing out of necessity.
- Maša Seničić sees poetry as a space of freedom for self-expression and play, acknowledging that external work often impacts the time poets can dedicate to their craft.
- Simona Dmitrović describes poetry as a space for exploring the inner and outer worlds, appreciating the lack of a dominant definition that allows for diversity.
- The article touches on the historical use of male pseudonyms by women writers and the contemporary paradox of 'women's literature' potentially leading to isolation despite increased visibility.
- While women poets are more visible, their representation in decision-making literary roles remains lower.
- The poets suggest that generational classifications in poetry are complex, and that the core essence of poetic expression transcends age.