Na izvorima pjesništva

On the Sources of Poetry by Petar Grgec is a broadly conceived work that seeks to explain the deep roots and inner drivers of poetic creation. The author begins by elaborating on the poet's way of creating, reflecting on how inspiration is transformed into a formed word. This is followed by an analysis of the cultural strands of poetic expression, where Grgec shows that poetry never appears in a vacuum, but in dialogue with tradition, language and spiritual heritage.

A special section is dedicated to the development of poetic knowledge, i.e. the question of how a poet is shaped through learning, experience and encounter with literary heritage. Grgec then explores folk and ancient sources, comparing the motifs and techniques of Homeric poetry with Croatian folk tradition and emphasizing their role in forming the European lyrical horizon. He also analyzes biblical texts, especially Song of Songs, highlighting the strong symbolism and spiritual depth that have inspired poets for centuries.

In the chapters on the relationship between poetry and life, the author considers how personal reality, work, and social circumstances shape the poet's voice. He develops the idea that poetic creation is not an escape from the world, but its deepened reflection. He also speaks of dream, as a particularly fertile space for poetic imagination, and of the moment of poetic experience, that brief flash of inspiration from which a poem emerges.

A significant part of the book is devoted to issues of literature and worldview, nationality, and the value and symbolic power of works such as Mihanović's "Croatian Homeland". In the appendix, Grgec analyzes folk songs as an inexhaustible source of motifs, rhythms, and lyrical sensibility.

The work is thoughtful, rich in insights, and written in a clear and humanistic style, which is why it represents a valuable guide through the spiritual sources and inner dynamics of poetry.