Selected Poems of Krzysztof Kamil Baczynski Translated by Christopher Patkowski

Krzysztof Kamil Baczynski was born on January 22, 1921, and died in the Warsaw Uprising on August 4, 1944. His father was a literary critic, and his mother was an author of books and textbooks for teenagers. He graduated from lyceum in June of 1939. His further education was disrupted by the war. He managed to study Polish Literature in one of the secret universities that were established during the German occupation. In 1943 Baczynski joined the Polish Resistance forces. He was trained to fight the invaders and he had taken active part in the military battles. In June of 1943 he married Barbara Drapczynski, she also died in the uprising days after death of her husband. His mother was Jewish and they both had to hide from being sent to Warsaw ghetto. Their relationship was close and intimate. His poetry was influenced by his Jewish heritage and his ties to his mother. He had written over 400 poems, leaving us an elaborate view of these trying times. Reading of his work brings us close to his life hood in the face of the German occupation. He also narrates his love for Barbara. His first poems were written in 1936, and we can only speculate and grief about the body of work that were foregone because of his early death.