ALL POEMS DOROTA SZUMILAS

Poetry Series
Dorota Szumilas
- poems -
2
Dorota Szumilas (14.02.1967)
I'm librarian.
My poetry-page: http: //dorotaszumilas.blogspot.com
My profil on Facebook.: http: //www.facebook.com/dorota.szumilas#!
/pages/Dorota-Szumilas/142511432444676? ref=search
Works:
'Mala cicha kropla...' (Warsaw,2006)
'Chociaz dobre slowo...' (Kraków,2008)
'Wspomnienia...'
and poems in 'Contemporary writers of Poland' 2nd ed.2008
Publ. also in poetical periodic 'Poezja Dzisiaj'
3
A Journey From You
Good!
So I'm going to forget you
Because you keep silent
You probably think it's best,
you shy away from talking.
Run away! I'm not going to chase you.
I'm not going to think about you...
Memories will sometimes rattle
like the rumble of a train slowing down.
And silence will fall... in which
you can only hear
the murmur of passengers talking.
Some will get off at the next stop.
I'll be among them. At last!
I'll take a breath of fresh air,
new life.
(transl. by Urszula Sledziewska-Bolinska)
Dorota Szumilas
4
A note soothes my heart..
I need a heart
that will protect
with cottony softness
the circle of thoughts
the sky
that the wind
will disperse
the dripping drops
are the bleeding of the heart
that hurts deeply
I need songs
beautiful
without a false note
a note soothes the heart
not to ruin the lonely
songs
as they want to shut
the door
in solitude before you
The Sun
I feel better now
don't go away
but shine
even more beautifully
that anyone
could imagine
a note soothes the heart
let the tones sound
together
and the chords of harmony
of the earth and the sky
water and the earth
of the heart and a word
thought and speech
I feel better now
I need a heart
that will protect
with cottony softness
a note sooths the heart
5
(transl. by Urszula Sledziewska)
Dorota Szumilas
6
A Poem about Mother
Too little time for caring...
the sick is close, close to the heart...
Not enough of the affection of your loved ones
Contrary to what you may think there is a lot of it
Just like fog it encloses and tucks in
and may disappear in a moment
I don't understand this moment as if it were
but not entirely captured
Caring gives a lot of joy if you long for it
It takes a lot of effort and suffering of the soul
while it's there
And I am again between one and the other
But I still have somewhere to go
To the person who's always waiting
To Mother
(transl. by Urszula Sledziewska)
Dorota Szumilas
7
After a Talk with my Friend [another transl.]
unspoken words...
your silent heart
are you talking to me
or don't you want to talk
my friend
are you hiding
words of frendship
because of your hurt pride
fascination...
with song
poetry
colour
a human being
unspoken words
maybe silence
mysteries
read with your heart
open only before God
sensitivity...
the world is creating
show its piece
and don't hide it from me
God
thank you for
this conversation
it's silence
now
and will remain beautiful
silence
(transl. by Urszula Sledziewska)
Dorota Szumilas
8
After Talking to a Friend
oblique statements...
with silent heart
do you talk to me
or perhaps you are not willing to speak
my Friend
do you hide
words of friendship
your wounded pride
fascination...
with song
poetry
color
human being
oblique statements
perhaps silence
mysteries
read with the heart
and only before God
opened
the world arranges in a beautiful way
show a particle of it
do not conceal it
God
thank you for this talk
silence
it is
and shall remain
beautiful
silence
(transl. Annaya Chomczyk)
Dorota Szumilas
9
Already...
the time of happiness is already setting
carefree time
so beautiful
the sun is already setting
to give itself to the night
unwillingly
dense fog already
there in the distance
dresses the wounds
is it too late
to turn the tide of life
on the wave...
(transl. Annaya Chomczyk)
Dorota Szumilas
10
An evening in May
let this may evening
with its fresh
beautiful new growth
and the fragrance of the lilac
give you joy
the most beautiful moment
for reflection
(transl. by Urszula Sledziewska)
Dorota Szumilas
11
Ashes of my memory
a dead branch
the cruel wind
has broken
too dry and too light
to hold
its mast
in the gust
something escaped
crushing into the air
left crumbled
into pieces
by the gust of wind
everything wiped away
not even a smudge
of existence
of your fragile days
the power and the fury
it's the time running away
one and the other
like a mysterious force
who can after all sweep up
every little piece
and throw away
everything
that was
not leaving behind
even the memory of
what was
(transl. by Urszula Sledziewska)
Dorota Szumilas
12
At the grave...
warmth is escaping
the warmth of body
and soul
escaping
evaporating
so fast
that fear strikes
what'll happen
when the warmth
is gone
when it leaves
its body
for good
what'll be there
when your heart
can't feel
when your eyes don't
look alive
can't take in
the landscape
these green meadows
those towering mountains
all that will have
to go....
what'll happen
not long from now
when warmth escapes
together with the soul
I don't think
anybody knows
(transl. by Urszula Sledziewska-Bolinska)
Dorota Szumilas
13
Be yourself!
do we always have to be
appreciated
do we have to depend on
approval
can't we alone find
ourselves
so that we don't have
to regret not being understood
'I don't understand you'
someone will say
and he will probably
never do!
then
you yourself
have to understand
that
no one can fully
understand us
and stop looking for yourself
in others
there you will only find
a reflection
and often not the best one
search for yourself
as not to destroy
your chances to be yourself
look for yourself
in relation to God
that's where you'll find the most
beautiful image
(transl. by Urszula Sledziewska)
Dorota Szumilas
14
Before sleep comes
don't be sad before you fall asleep
when you gather your thoughts
don't squeeze your heart
with your longing for the day
so many good words the world is sending you
as if it were saying
'don't cry no more'
(transl. by Urszula Sledziewska)
Dorota Szumilas
15
Crystal
as brittle as crystal
that has diffused
and nothing but dust
shall remain…
sense of time
as we may comprehend it
that will not do
some day
dust has dispersed
after a slight blow of air
wafted
into the cloud complained
and fell down
a bit farer
where the heart cried
bitterly
out of grief
those former structures
so beautiful
transparent
this is light reflected
with a prism of life
and those structures
so beautiful
so pure
as the beating of our heart
from the hiding
beauty of crystal
so brittle
so weak
just push it
and there will be
no sky so limpid
above us
nor crystal tear
sad as we are
it is so easy
to turn something into dust
and diffuse this dust
with one’s force
dust
which wafted
into the cloud complained
and it is so difficult
to build from dust
16
…rust
(transl. Annaya Chomczyk)
Dorota Szumilas
17
E-mail from Szczawnica
I just wanted
to email you
to say how beautiful
is here
that my window
overlooks Jarmuta
how I rafted down
Dunajec
that I admired the sun
reflected in the depths of the mountain waters
and how it would fall
onto the rocks and trees
As if it wanted to say...
”don't worry at all”
and asked me to rest
and enjoy the moment
I am not idealizing
the nature at all
and the human being...
what's his worth without the surrounding beauty
I won't write this email now
I am admiring the world!
(transl. Annaya Chomczyk)
-
Sanitarium like a place, when people 'done' rehabilitation... like many places in
Szczawnica. People after every ill. Szczawnica is a beautifull place - city in Poland. In
Szczawnica are not only ills, but many tourists. Near this city there are mountains
named 'Pieniny'. Please, look for example: http: //www.szczawnica.net, or: http:
//www.pieniny.com; or: http: //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pieniny
Dorota Szumilas
18
Eternal rest...
'Autumn rain
a woeful tune
is playing'
about those
who have passed away
and those left behind
with memories
reminiscing and longing
autumn rain
autumn
envelopes crosses
covered in
yellowed leaves
embraces them in mist
and they become mystery
the mystery of eternity
November rain is falling
on the memories
of those
who have passed on
to their eternal resting
place
it shields them with fog
but uncovers them
to their beloved
who light a candle
and pray
'Eternal rest grant onto them...'
(transl. by Urszula Sledziewska-Bolinska)
Dorota Szumilas
19
Evening of Reflections
shout
or perhaps better remain
in constant
silence
cry
out of misunderstanding
or fall into a reverie
for ever
wait
when in fact
no one knows
what for
forgive
when it is
so
difficult
search for
sense
or keep it
within silence
accept
this silence
or
rebel against it
or perhaps leave
but for sure
not escape
depart
leaving
everything
within one’s
silence
(Transl. Anaya Chomczyk)
Dorota Szumilas
20
Explanation
Motto:
”Love explained me everything
Love solved everything
therefore, I do adore this Love
wherever it would find itself”
(Karol Wojtyla)
Love...
explained me little
since the sorrow moved away
too many matters
Longing then
would substitute
joy
from common years
that never happened
Failed conversation
discontinued
”a good word”
here and there
Yes...
Love
solved me very little!
It had too many
its own problems
Love...
yet did explain something!
The magic of our moments together
that never happened
Love
has left my
joy
with no tears or delusion
At last! !
(transl. Annaya Chomczyk)
Dorota Szumilas
21
Fidelity
Being faithful is not a sin!
being faithful to yourself
to friendship
and love
Being faithful to words
promises
and beliefs
Be yourself!
Be brave my Friend!
(transl. by Urszula Sledziewska)
Dorota Szumilas
22
Good word
I wait
for the good word
not only from You
especially
though!
Good word...
and this will do
but perhaps
it is better
when there is plenty of them
and even more
Good word...
like soul food
helps it to weather
for the time being
But what's then?
Then...
Confidence and hope
for the next
good word
And the next...
And next...
Dorota Szumilas
23
heart
one heart is looking for another
as a friend is looking for a friend
it's looking for a common beat
for mutual understanding
a heart beating to a beautiful beat
extending its hands to another
two hearts beating together
is it love
or friendship still...
(transl. by Urszula Sledziewska)
Dorota Szumilas
24
How can you hold back tears...
How can you hold back tears
How can you not be sad
How can you dull the aching heart
How will you find joy in your soul
Where will you put the clay pot
filled with your silent tears
How can you talk about the beauty of the world
if it won't come with us
No one can offer boundless caring
of the heart
How then can you be happy
Tell me my love
(transl. by Urszula Sledziewska)
Dorota Szumilas
25
I Think I Will Smile...
I think
I will smile at last
at family memories and not only
I think
I will not think of you
It is not worth my time, strength, and will
I think
the world is as beautiful as the trees
in full blossom of this May
I think
the whiteness of lilacs, chestnut, rowans
is beauty one may become
if they only want
I smile
slowly, though, at the beautiful world around me
I smile
also to You
(transl. by Annaya Chomczyk)
Dorota Szumilas
26
I think I'll smile [another transl.]
I'll smile I think
eventually
at the memories of my family
and not only those
I think
I won't remember you
it's not worth my time, effort or my will
I think
the world's as beautiful as trees
in may bloom
I think
the whiteness of a lilac, a chestnut tree, a mountain-ash
is as beautiful as can be
if you want it to be
although slowly
I'm smiling
at the beautiful world around me
I'm smiling
also at you
(transl. by Urszula Sledziewska)
Dorota Szumilas
27
In return for the happy times
in return for the time of joy insight and reflection
I give away a portion of my dreams
about the substance already written down
with a fountain pen and ink
for those fleeting moments still remembered
I give away my voice as a whisper
as a pencil held by an artist ready for a new sketch
of a picture or a verse...
(transl. by Urszula Sledziewska)
Dorota Szumilas
28
Intelect and emotions
Intelect!
It's good you exist!
Emotions!
There is no life
Without you!
(transl. by Urszula Sledziewska-Bolinska)
Dorota Szumilas
29
Journey on Track
crystal
you white down
infinite land
of spirit
vastness of our dreams
escapes
leaves
the train of oblivion
leaves…
rattle of wheels
could be still heard with soul
at times
and while staring into space
one could see
the way
only rails
bringing
rattle
on great
distance
only them
staring into space
shall see
across the fields
meadows
far away…
(transl. by Annaya Chomczyk)
Dorota Szumilas
30
Little joys
thank you
for the words
you've written
so beautiful
poetic
so warm
for the words
of comfort
at a time
of sorrow
you wrote
cherish the little
moments
the wind that's blowing
the back of your armchair
is comfortable
cherries taste good
you wrote
enjoy the moment
whatever's coming
so I cherish
this moment
when I'm writing
this poem
for you
and me
for everyone
who's running away
from joy
at this very moment
(transl. by Urszula Sledziewska)
Dorota Szumilas
31
Love
Love is tremor of the heart
It's patience and caring
It's compassion and joy
And hope for reciprocation
(transl. by Urszula Sledziewska)
Dorota Szumilas
32
Memory
the memory of heart reflects a gentle sound
gentle tone shall remain within silence
the tones sound high
at times... die away
in order to blow
the silence off...
and to contain
the enlightenment of this moment
blaze in the eyes
as the beauty of fleeting moments
gently falls onto the ground
fleeting moments
they make up this enlightenment
read so beautifully with the heart!
(transl. Annaya Chomczyk)
Dorota Szumilas
33
Memory [another transl.]
memory of the heart
reflects a gentle sound
a soft note
will remain in the silence
the sounds reach high notes
then soften
just to blow away
the silence
once more
and to enclose the radiance
of the moment
the sparkle in your eyes
like the beauty of little moments
gently falls to the ground
little moments
make up the radiance
so beautifully
read with your heart!
(transl. by Urszula Sledziewska)
Dorota Szumilas
34
My soul
my soul is longing for God
He's ever-present everywhere
He loves me
He loves us
He'll be with us for ever
Let's follow the path
chosen for us
let's carry the cross of our life
even though it's heavy
even though it's hard to bear
Let's trust everything in God
all our joys and sorrows
He'll guide us
He'll live in our hearts
(transl. by Urszula Sledziewska)
Dorota Szumilas
35
Mystery
My life
is silence
Does it have to be?
Perhaps not
but it is
I tear out my heart and my soul
I don't want to enclose them
in silence
but I do
Is my life
some kind of
suffering?
I don't think
it is
So what is it?
It's one
deep
mystery
that I would like
to solve
and throw away
36
everything that was
including memories
of what was
(transl. by Urszula Sledziewska)
Dorota Szumilas
37
Now... [another transl. 'Already...']
now the happy times are over
time of carelesness
so beautiful
now the sun is setting
to hand itself over to the night
unwillingly
now the mighty fog
there in the distance
is dressing its wounds
is it too late
to reverse the current of your life
(transl. by Urszula Sledziewska)
Dorota Szumilas
38
On the seashore
we should stay together
together we set off for this long journey...
I trust you can be called
true companions
who will wait
until moments of weakness come
who will come forward with a kind word
slow down their pace
will notice the beauty of pine trees
against the blue sky
will stand in awe at the sight
of a deer hasten by
will look in wonder at a boar
will pause...
as you stroll by the sea
you will salute the beauty of the sun
reflected on the surface of the water
the waves break gently against the shore
they caress your tired feet
invigorating them for the journey
you have to keep going...
my companions yards ahead of me
it's hail instead of rain
or rain instead of sunny
weather
alas...
the distance between us will keep
growing!
I have to pause and try
to marvel at life
even if at the moment
it's sad and gloomy
(transl. by Urszula Sledziewska)
Dorota Szumilas
39
Pause
time pauses for a moment
even though it doesn't really
stop
it's a moment dedicated to reflection
the only moment
to find God
another day passes by...
God
where are you?
(transl. by Urszula Sledziewska)
Dorota Szumilas
40
Rejoicing Trifles
Thank you
for those words
written
in such a beautiful way
poetically
so warm
For words
of encouragement
in such sad
moments of the day
You advised
to rejoice trifles
that the wind is blowing
the backrest comfortable
cherries taste good
In your writings you said
to rejoice every moment
short perspective
So I rejoice
this very moment
when I find myself writing this poem
For you
and for myself
and for everyone
who escapes
the moments of joy
now exactly
(transl. Annaya Chomczyk)
Dorota Szumilas
41
Sanitarium
I came here for health
and found peace
I was looking for rest
and discovered a smile
Took the route of Pieniny
talked to the silence
Sat down tired
happy though
(transl. Annaya Chomczyk)
--
Sanitarium like a place, when people 'done' rehabilitation... like many places in
Szczawnica, for people after every ill. Szczawnica is a beautifull place - city in Poland.
In Szczawnica there are not only ills, but many tourists. Near this city there are
mountains named 'Pieniny'. Please, look for example: http: //www.szczawnica.net, or:
http: //www.pieniny.com; or: http: //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pieniny
Dorota Szumilas
42
Shrivelled soul
my shrivelled soul
though longing
is humbly
tending to daily
tasks
without awe
without a moment
of reflection
to forget
on time
(transl. by Urszula Sledziewska)
Dorota Szumilas
43
Silence and Echo
solitude
like silence
falls off on the ground
undisturbed waters
transparent
this silence of word
silence of air
this silence
solitude
nobody's longing
breaks against a bricked wall
high
wall like concrete
thick
and heavy
this perfect peace
at times
larynx scream
will wake up the silence
disturb
this constant reverie
sorrow
wants to leave
or silence
wants to play
with the echo
longer
(transl. Annaya Chomczyk)
Dorota Szumilas
44
smile
smile
look
and the world
will brighten up
this ray of sunshine
will light up
everything around you
and the world
will be more beautiful
you'll see
smile
and your heart
won't break
from despair
(transl. by Urszula Sledziewska)
Dorota Szumilas
45
Something more maybe+
I'll write to you
about the joy of
'good words'
Among letters
numbers and all kinds of
symbols...
Something more maybe+
I forgot 100%
Perhaps 1/100
but sometimes I :)
at recollections
I also cry sometimes
a little
Why?
Because
I may not see
the good words
again...
(transl. by Urszula Sledziewska)
Dorota Szumilas
46
Sorrow
don't let my soul
be torn by sorrow
let moments tied
with sobs
be gone
let heart's wail
and soul's howl
disappear
into oblivion
(transl. by Urszula Sledziewska)
Dorota Szumilas
47
tears
'Tears fall quietly, it's better to cry than to be angry;
anger hurts other people but tears flow silently through
your soul and cleanse it as well as your heart and your hands'
(Cardinal S. Wyszynski)
tears fall quietly...
as a murmur of
a creek flowing
silently
you can hardly hear it
only
once in a while
a stone
hits another stone
it's a louder
wail of the heart
tears fall quietly...
they are too weak
they disappear
too quickly
on your cheeks
the silent tears...
tears of suffering
whisper
constantly
to the accompaniment
of trees blowing in the wind
in silence
quietly
the tears
fall...
(transl. by Urszula Sledziewska)
Dorota Szumilas
48
The proper order of things
Reflection is a thought, then a word
Then an action
Sometimes the thought is the end
Sometimes the word
The acts are the hardest
It’s a long road
If everything follows its prescribed
Path
(transl. by Urszula Sledziewska)
Dorota Szumilas
49
The World of Memories
is like a huge sphere
lined with paths
winding in the darkness
a sunray falls on my face
bringing a gentle smile
that's how it was
you can't deny it
I remember
to build my identity
I forget
to go further without unnecessary words
I'm always between one and another
in the reality of dilemmas
(transl. by Urszula Sledziewska)
Dorota Szumilas
50
Through...
through
written words
through
words unspoken
I keep those moments
to myself
through songs
that have been sung
not comprehended
by some
let others stay here
and sing
for others
through utterances
mistaken
through
inner contradictions
at least you please
understand me
My heart!
(transl. by Urszula Sledziewska)
Dorota Szumilas
51
To Live
Live in a way
to forget!
At the water
within the silence of the climate
Where
the Valley of Homole
inviting
Where
in some other place
the rocks seem to depict
the swoosh of Dunajec
and the beauty of the world
reflected in the depths
of the water flowing through
Rest in a way
to remember!
About Szczawnica
and Pieniny
about the May color of green
About the people met here
by coincidence
Though...
They say there are no coincidences!
All I can do is agree with it
(transl. by Annaya Chomczyk)
Dorota Szumilas
52
To You
I know
that you are
that you read
and respond
That perhaps you think
of me
and me
perhaps of you
This ”perhaps”
worries me indeed
But perhaps
unnecessarily
Since
I would give my heart
to you
(transl. Annaya Chomczyk)
Dorota Szumilas
53
Tracks
-To Pola and Wojtek Wę glarz from Szczawnia-
I found myself
in Szczawnica
The fate wanted me
while listening to birds singing
to meet a Kindred Spirit
and more than one
The fate
grinned
within the sun, trees, waters
and nearby rocks
The fate took me to
the trails of Pieniny
which... criss-crossed
with the paths of life
Thanks to this
I am coming out of the woods!
(transl. Annaya Chomczyk)
-
Sanitarium like a place, when people 'done' rehabilitation... like many places in
Szczawnica. People after every ill. Szczawnica is a beautifull place - city in Poland. In
Szczawnica there are not only ills, but many tourists. Near this city there are
mountains named 'Pieniny'. Please, look for example: http: //www.szczawnica.net, or:
http: //www.pieniny.com; or: http: //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pieniny
Dorota Szumilas
54
Unfinished
unfinished
despite your efforts and attempts
postponed
until eternity
you can always come back
there is always time...
it needs completion
so that you can move on
perhaps it's best not to put it off
so that you don't have to start
over again
(transl. by Urszula Sledziewska)
Dorota Szumilas
55
What Next...
I sat down
on a bench
gazing at small cascades
on Grajcarek
hearing the swoosh of water
falling down
I am wondering
what next...
the time has stopped to myself
in Szczawnica
as if I had a plenty of it
for this moment of reverie
I am going to think of it
tomorrow
(transl. by Annaya Chomczyk)
Dorota Szumilas
56
What’s in the Heart
In the heart
melody of words
One could hear it
within poetry
Within poetry can be seen
all sorts of lights
thrown onto the thoughts
of soul
Within painting
one could decipher
chords of colors
resonating
so beautifully
Harmony…
(transl. Annaya Chomczyk)
Dorota Szumilas
57
Why?
why couldn't you reach me
with your heart
your soul
your word?
why couldn't you understand
my heart
my soul
my word?
why were you so impenetrable
to my eyes' innocent stare?
why were you capable of destroing
my kind gaze directed at you?
(transl. by Urszula Sledziewska)
Dorota Szumilas
58
Without poetry?
Without people it's sad
With people often... hard
Solitude sometimes desired
Once nearly accepted
Heart torn by dilemmas
Pride dare not ask
How do you live without poetry?
So that words don't drown
Maybe simply send them...
As echo or poetic whisper
Someone will always hear them
With his heart or soul
(transl. by Urszula Sledziewska)
Dorota Szumilas