Cyprian Kamil Norwid, a great Polish poet and dramatist, was born on 24th September 1821. Just listen to one of the most moving poems written on exile, expressing Norwid’s great longing for Poland – “Piosnka”/”My song”:

“For that land where a scrap of bread is picked up
From the ground out of reverence
For Heaven’s gifts…
I am homesick, Lord!…
For the land where it’s a great travesty
To harm a stork’s nest in a pear tree,
For storks serve us all…
I am homesick, Lord!…
For the land where we greet each other
In the ancient Christian custom:
“May Christ’s name be praised!”
I am homesick, Lord!…
I long still for yet another thing, likewise innocent,
For I no longer know where to find
My abode…
I am homesick, Lord!
For worrying-not and thinking-not,
For those whose yes means yes — and no means no —
Without shades of grey…
I am homesick, Lord!
I long for that distant place, where someone cares for me!
It must be thus, though my friendship
Will never come to pass!…
I am homesick, Lord!”

Nel Badowska