Polish Poetry From the Soviet Gulags: Recovering a Lost Literature

“These poems of Polish exile are not important just to the Polish, or as “proof” of Soviet abuses, but because they serve as a reminder to all human societies of the collective guilt of human cruelty and the consequences of cultural and racial hegemony. . . . We can, and should, learn lessons from these poems by a suppressed and abused people at the hands of an aggressive twentieth-century superpower, and remember, and commemorate, the abuses of not just Polish people, but other helpless and hapless groups who have been, and continue to be, targeted by heartless regimes.” – Prof. Josephine A. McQuail, Tennessee Technological University

“. . . a fine service to the memory of those victims of this painful episode in Polish history.” – Prof. Joseph A. Kotarba, University of Houston

“[The translators] beautifully manage to render Polish rhythm into English verse. [They] successfully translate[s] human pain.” - Prof. Ewa Chru?ciel, Colby-Sawyer College

Foreword: Tragedy Inspires Poetry – Josephine McQuail
Acknowledgements
Introduction: A Forbidden Subject – Halina Ab?amowicz
Siberian Exile in Polish History – Marek Jan Chodakiewicz
Keeping Memory Alive: My Mother’s Story of Surviving Siberian Exile - Halina Ab?amowicz
The Siberian Exile in Poetry – Translated by Halina Ab?amowicz and Kevin Christianson(Polish text followed by the English translation)
Na Sybir / On the Way to Sybir – Zofia Metelicka
Refleksje Sybiraka / Reflections of A Siberian Deportee – Zbigniew Czerepowicki
W Sybirskiej Chacie / In My Siberian Hut – Anna Rudawcowa
Chleba Naszego Powszedniego / Our Daily Bread - Zofia Metelicka
Do?? Ju? Karania / Enough of this Punishment – Józefa Auterhoff
T?sknota / Longing - Zofia Metelicka
Pozdrowienie / Greetings - Zofia Metelicka
Dla Mojej Matki – Anna Lubasz
O Ziemio Syberyjska / Oh Land of Siberia – Wac?awa Batowska
Do Braci / To My Fellow Poles - Anna Rudawcowa
Modlitwa z Tajgi / Prayer from Taiga – Anonymous
Niewola / Captivity – Maria Niwi?ska
Niezabudki / Forget-Me-Nots - Maria Niwi?ska
Samotna Mogi?a / Lonely Grave - Zofia Metelicka
Syberyjska Jesie? / Siberian Autumn - Zofia Metelicka
Sybirska Kol?da / Siberian Carol - Anna Rudawcowa
Trzynasty Kwietnia / April 13 - Zofia Metelicka
Sybir Mi W?osy Wysrebrzy? / The Siberian Exile has Silvered My Hair - Józefa Auterhoff
Za Winy Niepope?nione / For Sins Not Committed - Anna Lubasz
Zima / Winter - Maria Niwi?ska
Suplikacje / Supplications – Beata Oberty?ska
Wigilia / Wigilia - Maria Niwi?ska
Polskie Dzieci z Ko?ymy / Polish Children of Kolyma – Pawe? Kalinowski
13 Kwiecie? / April 13 - Anna Rudawcowa
10 Luty 1940 Rok / February 10 Year 1940 – Helena Bartoszewska
Bibliography
Index

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