IN WLODZIMIERZ IN THE POLISH UKRAINE

(The year is 1927, the speaker my mother, aged 13)

November 11: Independence Day.
They're lighting birthday candles for the State
Of Poland, which turns nine years old today,
And local Polish people celebrate.

I watch the demonstrators marching by
With flags and patriotic songs; a fine
Pageant, till anti-Semites raise the cry
That they're so fond of: "Jews to Palestine!"

The Jewish Self-Defence is on alert
In case of rioting, but no disaster
Occurs, thank God, and nobody gets hurt.

While every Polish heart is beating faster,
Ukrainians look on indifferently:
It's Poland, not their country, which is free.

 

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