Day 64: Mateusz Nowak

The café was warm and filled with the gentle hum of conversation and the rich aroma of coffee. I met Mateusz Nowak, a local poet, at a Krakow café. His words danced with whimsical grace, much like the snowflakes outside. Soft jazz played in the background as cups clattered. With warmth in his eyes that contrasted the chill in the air, Mateusz shared his love for Krakow's winter. He described it as a season of introspection and creativity. As we spoke, I sketched the scene outside our window. The historic market square was softened by snow, and its beauty was quiet and contemplative, much like the poems Mateusz recited. He spoke of the city's streets as stanzas, and its people and places as verses that together narrated the story of Krakow. Inspired by Mateusz's perspective, I saw Krakow through a new lens. I no longer saw it just as a city cloaked in winter's calm. Instead, I saw it as a living poem. Each snowflake was a word, and each scene was a line in an ongoing verse. As I left the café, the chill no longer seemed biting. Instead, it was a gentle reminder of the beauty and inspiration found in moments of serenity and shared stories.