Maciej Rembarz, a poet from Poznan Polish

Maciej Rembarz



Maciej Rembarz Born and brought up in Poznan, he studied Polish literature at the university there, but he never finished his studies and led a colourful life working in various places, including as a teacher at various schools, looking after exotic fish in a zoo, writing slogans for an advertising company, for some time he had a farm with 300 sheep. Changing his jobs often, he meets people from all strata of society and this is reflected in his poetry. For many years he wrote poems on scraps of paper never even trying to publish them, until some of his friends found those scraps and sent them to the literary magazine “Czas Kultury” (Culture Time). There in 1992 (aged over 40) he made his debut. Since then he had thre books of poetry published, as well as a couple of plays staged in a theater.





MACIEJ REMBARZ LOOKS FOR THE LOST SHEEP,
BEING LOST HIMSELF

He emerged from the falling fog
holding fast to its fleece.
He heads towards the sheepsty
carried by the animal,
which every now and again kneels down.
Hooves every so often knock
on the field stones in the rhythm:
Alleluia
Alleluia



MACIEJ REMBARZ RESTS HIS HEAD ON A HEATH.

He looks good with this
really postmodernist
fragrant hairdo.

Four grey cranes
from friendly, distant swamps,
spread this living tapestry
on the wall of the forest.

In very important moments the cranes dance;
Maciej Rembarz is grateful for this,
as he waits for the sorrowful
farewell bugles.



MACIEJ REMBARZ JOINS A FLOCK OF SPARROWS

Like they, cockeyed and grey,
he listens
to the triumphant and happy call
of wild geese in the depth
of sky
Later he throws a stone at
lonely clouds and sits on a fence by
a good looking female.
Together they prepare
to greet the dawn.



IN "HUNTER'S BAR" (MIEDZICHOWO)
MACIEJ REMBARZ TALKS TO LUBIK

You dig for all in the parish.
You take "for a hole" (as you say) seven grand.
It's too dear for me.
Anyway, who likes to pay too much
in such a friable and delicate matter ?
I wouldn't feel good in a grave dug
by a dog.
In you only the bicycle and the hat are human.
I’m never sure whether you haven’t come in my case.

I know, your war pension is low, few zlotys;
but thanks to it you can wait.
You can wait for each one of us.
Well, somebody's got to do it,
but why it has to be you ?
Face wet with someone else's tears,
spitting in your dry hands...
Fuck off, Lubik, keep
your dirty hands away from me
and don't slap my back either now or ever.
Remember, Lubik: never.
Prayer:
Don't take away his hope, o Lord.



MACIEJ REMBARZ TALKS TO A WOMAN WHO,
AFTER AN ABORTION PERFORMED WITH A TABLE SPOON,
ENDED UP AT THE WARD 19C OBRZYCE

It is Sunday and I with you
The blessing URBI AND ORBI
Should rest upon you
to you upon you.
You are the city and the world of misery,
Madonna with teeth knocked out.
I know, you couldn't bear the breath of
eternal humility.
Please, sleep.
Sleep, I beg you, don't press your knees
against this cold floor.
After all you gave birth to me.



THE IDENTITY OF MACIEJ REMBARZ IS CHECKED
IN A FREEZING DECEMBER NIGHT

Cracked with busy dirt
the hands of a cop with surprise
look at a picture of the Turin shroud,
in the place where the photo should be.
The falling snow wash away
the rubric: occupation (Runaway)

The cop, shrouded in white,
cannot wait that long.

He caresses the fur of the push bike
on which Maciej Rembarz
eternally travels the way
between Miedzichowo and Pąchy
between Miedzichowo and Pąchy





MACIEJ REMBARZ, TOGETHER WITH HIS DAUGHTER,
SAYS THE EVENING PRAYER

From her mouth he reads the image
of prayer; rustling with his crumpled
lips he repeats forgotten
hopes.

My litany: a plea
Let her prayer be like a kite
O Lord.







home page