Bozena Helena Mazur-Nowak (Poland)

Exclusive: European poetry: Curated by Agron Shele

Bozena Helena Mazur-Nowak (Poland)

Bozena Helena Mazur-Nowak was born in Opole, Poland. In 2004 in search of work migrated to Great Britain, where she lives. Emigration was a difficult choice for her because, as she says, “Life in the home country on the edge of poverty, with no chance to work. Miserable existence leading almost to madness, and suddenly opens a window to the world and invites you to reach for new possibilities. So I reach – not without fear, after a long deliberation – ,, I reach and leaving the past behind begin to build a new life. At the heart is a longing that brings poems“ She published six volumes of poetry; four in Polish and two in English. She also writes prose and released a novel and a few short story collections. Her work may be found in numerous worldwide anthologies and magazines.

Winner of many poetry competitions. Proud holder of many diplomas, awards, and distinctions

The Source of Love

At the top of the stairs of your Church,

were scattered crumbs of eternity. Between

them, I found the sweetness of your heart.

You asked me to stay, even though, I was unworthy.

You, forgave my sins and didn’t ask for nothing.

Bestowed me with never ending love.

The memory of your gentle touch,

made that I spinning with unlimited trust.

You – the enchanting mirage of endless love

rain down on me like Heavenly brightness.

Stand close by me – stay in my soul and my mind

and deep down in my heart – wherever I be.

The nest

the nest, once bustling

with chatter of young chicks

strewn with soft down

fragrant with bird’s milk

today is empty

the chicks have grown

flew away into the wide world

built their own nests

and forgot the familiar one

the lonely old mother

resting her head on the nest’s edge

gazes into the distance

towards the clouds

the tear in her eye, frozen

her heart pounds with pain

at every shadow in flight

she looks with longing

the nest, once bustling

today is empty

memories lurk in the corners

but will they fill the emptiness?

Make yourself free day today

try to squeeze your butt into your old jeans

the ones you’ve got in the closet for years

they passed with you through many years

through so many bad days and still stitching

they keep despite many holes and patches

turn on the magical black long play record, you love

light a candle and maybe ideally better two

Sit back on the windowsill again

let your heart fly high up

as it used to in the past to the stars

everyday chasing for bread

stripped us of the remnants of dreams

make yourself free from the world today

from the worries of problems and bits of advice

let us smile again like a crazy

for no reason without a purpose, just like that

sit yourself up on the clouds for a moment

weave a ray of sunshine in your hair

.

return back to the Earth before the evening

for dinner cut a slice of a fragrant bread

and spread it with a warm smile

because life tastes a bit better with it

 Setu, November 2019