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Poetry written by Hania Kaczanowska
My Little Red Shoes
My little red shoes so old and worn
They were mine because I was first born
They were probably bought for Sunday wear
To get them dirty I wouldn't dare
But soon I could wear them out to play
Who'd a thought I'd still have them today?
When I outgrew them they were handed down
To the next three siblings who didn't want brown
In time the soles became loose and torn
From all the years they were happily worn
My dad would cut new leather secured with nails
When he came home from working the rails
You had to be Polish to see this as pride
They were good as new and we were satisfied
The last to wear them was my little brother
He had little red shoes like no other
I look at these shoes and think of the miles
Tricycle pedals and small town styles
Worn at a time when we were all worry free
Before we were five was a great place to be.
I can show my grandkids , but do they care?
Nobody fixes the shoes that they wear.
But maybe someday they will understand
It's not all about style and a fancy brand
I'll tell them their dziadek was Polish and smart
And to repair one's shoes was a resourceful art
They will roll their eyes as I try to impress
So the little Red Shoe Story is just mine, I guess
But I know they were bought and fixed with love
And they are just something I can't get rid of
I just wonder how many kids had shoes like this
That their dad repaired in return for a kiss.
*****
A Hayride and a Jam Sandwich
I'm just posting this for fun.... Looking back at some pictures I took when I visited my dad's village in Gaj Swiecicki, Poland some years back....One of the local travellers I met as I stood on my family homestead....
But we reminisced and spoke of September 17th.....I’m standing on a road leading to my dad’s village where his life began
A rustic hay wagon stops with a kerchiefed lady and a toothless man.
They ask if we are lost as we look around the fields ripened in gold
I explain my grandparents owned land here but years ago it was sold.
He remembered the homestead but said it had been torn down
It was just a bit further tucked into a tree'd area just outside of town
I was intrigued with his hay wagon as I had never been in one to ride
They said I could ride on the wagon and they would be my guide
I slipped off my high heels and handed them to my cousins in shock
I must be barefoot for this experience and didn’t need shoes to walk
They could drive ahead in the fiat or follow clomping horses’ hooves
But for me to have this opportunity I was actually very moved.
We laughed as I’m sure they were thinking “You silly old fool”
What exactly were you taught in your Canadian school?
So I climbed atop the buckboard and searched for a good view
And tried to find a spot on the hay where I wouldn’t sink thru.
Cotton candy clouds filled the sunlit sky and birds sang from trees
And the sweet scent of fresh cut hay wrapped me in the breeze.
There was no time for emotion as I enhaled every breath of the day
I couldn’t have asked for more perfection in this wagon full of hay
The kerchiefed woman handed me something from a small cotton bag
“Would you like to try this?” she said, but I don’t mean to brag
It was a sandwich with a special raspberry jam generously spread
With freshly churned butter on this mornings’ home baked bread
I thought I’d died and gone to heaven, smiling with childhood grace
With the delicious raspberry jam trickling down my face
An amazing feeling came over me because this was my dad’s favorite fruit
In the distance I could hear him laughing that this followed me to his roots
In my fifties, Canadian denim, Chanel, barefoot and laid out on my back
Who’ da thought a trip to Poland would find me a sandwich in a hay rack?
The old couple chuckled as we shared bread and talked of the past
We drove under arched trees touching with dancing shadows cast
When the branches opened up to the sunlight it made them remember
That this road was uncovered when the war came on the 17th of September
They were just kids and used to play here and picnic with jam and bread
Time had brought many changes and many of their families were dead.
They both sighed quietly and then changed the mood again to laughter.
Saying it’s not all about the war, it’s about what came before and after.
Through time we are all not that different and some things remain the same
Like enjoying a jam sandwich with strangers who didn’t share their name.
2008
*****
Tata, and his underwear!
(Tata = Dad) written for Father’s Day
Tata came from Poland, and was a handsome sort of man
He brought with him his culture to this new promised land.
He was always groomed and polished, with every hair in place
And when he walked, he moved with a special kind of grace.
A day’s work left him smelling of railway diesel and tobacco smoke.
And our kisses on his cheek were met with a scratchy, stubble growth.
But when the day was over and he sat to read the news
His clothes were neatly pressed and he put on polished shoes.
He inhaled his cigarette smoke through a holder with grand finesse
And tipped back his glass of vodka, to relieve the day’s stress.
He would never step out in public unless he took the time to dress
And always added a splash of cologne, if we were having guests.
When Tata died, we dressed him with tender, loving care.
But somehow, we forgot to put on his underwear.
No one would know and that would be our secret to the grave
After all, Tata was a modest man and always very brave.
After his funeral, I awoke from a dream and saw my Tata standing there
He sadly asked, “ Verochka, where did you put my underwear?”
Now you may think this is a joke, but I tell you this is true
And every time I dreamt of him, I asked what I could do.
When Mama got sick, just before she died, she asked to speak to me
And shared with me a special plan, that was sure to set me free.
Before they closed her casket, I placed my gift inside her hands with care
In soft, powder blue tissue was a note tucked inside my Tata’s underwear.
“Please Tat’ forgive my oversight, I tried to do my best,
But today I can know, that finally, you are fully dressed”.
A few days later I was watching sunlight pass through budding trees
As something brushed against my face with a softening breeze.
I looked up to see a powder blue tissue gently dancing in the air
As if to say, “ Verochka, I got your package, and everything was there!”
I tried to catch the floating tissue, as I knew this had to be a sign,
But it willowed back into the clouds embraced by the warm sunshine.
I knew Tat’ would be at heaven''s gate to greet Mama as she arrived
And now this was a blessing wrapped up in a giggling disguise.
I could go to sleep now and dream of my Tata’s happy face
For now the looks of sadness were forever to be erased.
I share with you my wonderful memory and all that is true
Whether you believe me or not is entirely up to you!
And when the time comes that you lay your Tat’ to rest
Make absolutely sure that you do your very best.
If by chance he’s Polish and leaves this earth without his underwear
This will, without any doubt, be your personal cross to bear.
And for all of you who still have a Tat’, kiss him on his stubbled cheek and say:
“Today, I’m wishing you the “Best and Happiest Father’s Day”.
2005
*****