Poets meeting in space and word. On Norwid’s poems addressed to Józef Bohdan Zaleski

This article offers an interpretation of two poems by Cyprian Norwid, which are addressed toJózef Bohdan Zaleski: Do Józefa Bohdana Zaleskiego w Rzymie 1847-o [To Józef Bohdan Zaleski in Rome,1847] and Na przyjazd Teofila Lenartowicza do Fontainbleau [On the Arrival of Teofil Lenartowicz in Fontainbleau]. The latter is a poetic letter that recommends to Lenartowiczthat he should pay a visit to the Zaleski family. These poems allow us a glimpse into the relationship between the three 19th-century poets. The article elaborates on certain biographical elements but primarily reveals how Norwid regarded the differences between his own imagination and poetic stance on the one hand, and the works of his two friends on the other. Further, it shows how the awareness of this opposition led the poet to recognize aspects of his own place on the map of Polish poetry. Microanalysis of selected themes also facilitates indicating certain features they all share.