POETIČKI „CREDO“ IVANA V. LALIĆA NA PRIMERU PESME „SLOVO O SLOVU”

The research represents an interpretation of the poem “Word about the Word” by Ivan V. Lalić, pub- lished in the poetry collection „Pismo” (1992). The focus of the interpretation will be on the meaning of the verses, aiming to understand the unique phenomenology of the poetic world. The starting point will be the establishment of the semantic function of form and style, thereby opening the field for observing the poet's interaction with literary tradition. It will point out the complex symbolism of the concept of purgatory, thus establishing an intertextual link with Dante Alighieri’s epic. The pronounced quest for God and belief in the power of words, and thereby trust in the Logos, will be recognized as well. The theme of confronting the inevitability of the passage of time will come to the forefront, as well as the effort to find an expression for the inexpressible and to bridge the gap between man who speaks and God who remains silent. The verses will show that it is precisely poetry that provides an answer to the question of (non)existence of meaning. It will be concluded that poetic discourse triumphs over metaphysical void, and that poetry acquires ontological significance, thus giving meaning to existence