Generations in conversation

Generations in conversation

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Right at the bakery, that person! I'll tell you

Because I know everything better.

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There was fragrant bread in the shop,

What bad service

Just ask me

whether the child has allergies.

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I'm a banana eater. She should remember

That would be better.

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Who are you then? So green behind the ears?

Words so cheeky, simply unabashed.

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There it was, the hammering on asphalt. As if it were never forgotten.

Always resounds in my head. My grandma speaks of me as if I were possessed.

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Oh, what do you know? Who are you, so full of ridicule. We're doing well. Don't talk in that tone!

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Oh what, there was nothing in the shop! Grandma, I know everything better, times are tough and shelves are empty. Buying something is way too hard.

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Listen, my dear grandson, there is peace and not war. Everything else is banter.

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I want to tell you to stay tuned. Not long ago, almost a few days ago.

The house on the corner, the last one standing, the rest of the street has long since been burned.

The Nazis came from the right, the Russians came from the left. A hammering at the door

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Attention control!

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Picture turned on the wall to wave at the right guide.

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There was no baker, and with deep fear for life and limb, we looked at a dark face.

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Robbed of the last supplies, gave it all.

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Grandma, how did you survive? What did you eat?

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It doesn't take much to exist. The only thing that mattered was the will to survive.

When I was hungry, I gnawed on the broomstick. Waiting for silence,

hidden in the basement,

Sometimes the voices got brighter,

Hold your breath until the last shots subside.

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Grandma, I don't understand why such acts?

Were people still very close?

Why did they become soldiers?

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It was the others

the liars, with pay, work and agitation,

sowed discord and divided the people,

That's how they stretched their nets.

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Tomorrow you might understand when we go to the big library square.

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The next morning, down the stairs

out through the gate

cheering people hurried down the street

with lots of applause.

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We came closer, the earth shook,

An entire army is marching in circles.

The boots were shining

What thunder in the square

when they started tapping.

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The general then asked me

You want to march too

That's how you line up in the back.

Don't be a woman, you're a soldier, a real man.

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With fear on his face as he grumbled at me from above

I wanted to scream, I'm not stupid, maybe they'll fire at me later.

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But with respect, I fell silent.

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The negotiation has begun

Appeal to fame and honor, he has gained nothing.

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I gradually understood and was very happy.

The next attempt, it became authoritarian.

Off to the end with yourself and start marching

Otherwise I'll help out and you'll fly across the terrain.

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My hand clenched into a fist, quietly escaped from my lips,

I don't want that. Screaming internally, I am against violence.

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The general is convinced of himself

And pleased with my rising anger, he speaks again.

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Young man, have a strong will, that is good, what you lack is perhaps just courage.

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If you raise your calf high enough, you'll have chocolate at the end.

But I said no

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And began to cry.

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Overwhelmed by doubt,

With the question

Am I not a man now? Ran home quickly.

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At home then in bed,

Was it due to my courage, wasn't it? Oh how I would love to have the chocolate right now.

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Are you still listening, my son?

Good food is important, but if there is a lack of tone and a lack of respect, everything becomes void.

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There lay the son, confused and sad,

His heart was heavy, so scary, full of impressions.

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Grandma's words echoed

A whirlwind of doubt, everyone promised themselves

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I am and I will always be.

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Sorry Dad for talking about the saleswoman like that

for all my behavior and shame.

Your words to Grandma were clear and sincere, more important today than ever before.

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It is not about power

for strength or victories,

but for respect

understanding and also love

Which I give and receive every day.

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Grandma smiled, stroked my hair back then

That's the way I want to do it

May you feel as though I am safe

simply wonderful.

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Go your way, be brave and wise, follow your heart, that's enough.

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Pictures: https://www.bytom.pl/aktualnosci/index/Umowa-na-przebudowe-ul.-Pilsudskiego-podpisana.-W-ciagu-trzechlat-powstanie-zbiornik-retencyjny-pod-pl.-Sobieskiego-oraz-przebudowana-bedzie-kanalizacja-deszczowaoraz-drogi-i-chodniki/idn:38557

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Source: https://polska-org.pl/8157239,foto.html?idEntity=7828933

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[2023/March] Original version