Świadkowie [English translation]

Thirty years been looking for my son, he lived through the war, I know because he wrote. Here’s picture of him with a girl, who lives at mine to this day. In his last letter… he writes:

‘I’m coming home, hug dad, I got him at the war an English checkered blazer.

I wear it myself for now, albeit small…’ - my son was huge, wide in shoulders and strong, if anyone knows what happened to him,

please let me know, please urgent,

Dear Madam! In the programme ‘Witnesses’ I saw Madam by accident.

For years thirty in Rebertowo I have lived, from the war I collected rare items.

I used to steal from post boxes - some letters had money in them, in total three were camp-letters… maybe they’ll be of interest to You…

“Brother, dear brother, the war I survived, but left the woods too early.

In the village some patrol spotted me and that was the end of story.

I’m stuck in a camp with some Germans, NSZ 1 and AK2, I’ll be home when I can, so far I’m okay.

The other day some tried running, I kept away (when you’re running from a camp like this, you’ve got to have somewhere to run!).

Today they drove half on a lorry, the other half was scratched off the list, they’re taken for interrogation now, I’m watching and keeping it shut.

There was that one good looking fellow, tall, big in shoulders, taller and stronger even than me, you know me - hard to believe.

He had a blazer, English checkered, he ripped it with them, When they got and interrogated him, half of the man was gone.

He contracted in himself, can’t walk, shorter by a foot. I don’t know these things, but it looks like half of his ribs has gone missing.

That’s how we live here, this letter a Russian girl is sending - she loves me in here. If I’m put away, I’d rather be among ours, please inform the UB3”.

“Daddy, running away failed, I don’t know if I’ll ever write again…”

“That fellow in English checkered blazer came back from dopros4 on all fours, so I’m looking after him, like he did for four years. I’m a little afraid what they’ll do to us here. What a shame, God damn it!”

“Mummy I’m 17 and already a lieutenant.

All is well so far - once we've eliminated the Polish bandits,

I’ll write about that and I’ll tell you everything;

right now I’m too tired and Szachnitow the old mayor is asleep.

Tell Dad I’ve got a gift for him for once I'm back -

an English checkered blazer, heaven-sent fell into my hands.”5

Let’s go deeper, my dear ones

enough of waddling by the shore

we’ve enjoyed submerging to knees

from running our legs sore

Let’s go as deep as the waist, neck

Let’s swim forward over the Dark fathom

Where the distance will shores hide from

our eyes

And we’ll gulp on our thirsty throats

Then all will slowly submerge

Let waves roll over head

in ears silence will thunder

eyes will see the bottom’s end

To suspend over earth but on it

Without fish’s thrashing, rushing

And forget, forget, my dear ones

that to live we need breathing

1. See Narodowe Siły Zbrojne2. See Armia Krajowa3. See Urząd Bezpieczeństwa4. An interrogation5. Thanks to fizol for translating into Polish here