Štefanko's work stems from the community of his own people, from society and in the beginning he tended to use pathetic ways of expressing this, especially in his first book
I am Standing in Front of the House.
His second collection of poems
Embarrassment shows a certain shift in attitude and the title reveals its leading motif. One can see how the two images of the poet intertwine and clash. First there is the romantic rogue for whom life and poetry are identical and who lives for the people assuming a heroic pose. And then there is the modern poet, an ordinary man who knows all about boundaries and dimensions of the world, who is not trying to reveal the hero hidden in him, who is seeking a man like the others. That is why this poet's deal is to explore his own message down to the core. His search is often interrupted by human inadequacy, evenings quickly change into mornings and things are not always willing to give up their essence.
Grumbling Humbleness consists of three original collections that could not be published in the past ten years for non-literary reasons. The poet's main interest is in social reality but this time the angle is different. We can see a twosome personality. In these poems, Štefanko is still spontaneously explosive but without restraint. The aesthetic quality of his poems is most remarkable. It obviously suited his temperament not to conform to literary, social or political conventions of the time.
His outstanding talent shines through especially in his book for children.
Ten Crazy Tales are presented with unbound narrative mastery. The range of his ideas is enormous; one can almost feel how he loves telling stories, making up things, entertaining, teaching, aesthetizing and commenting on the world, which is so far from the land of fairytales.
Ondrej Štefanko belongs to the most outstanding and significant personalities among Slovaks living abroad not only for his literary work but also for his cultural activities.
Read more 
