Polish poet’s verse tell of love, sorrow and the search for a home

Left, Pete Goodrum, and Polish poet Miroslaw Przybyla with a copy of his book of poems Confession made in England. Picture: Stuart Anderson (Image: Archant)

And now a collection of poems by a Polish writer living in Norwich has gone on sale in the Fine City.

Miroslaw Przybyla, 62, of Music House Lane, has been writing the verse in 'Confession - made in England' for the past 11 years - ever since he moved to the UK.

Mr Przybyla said his poems - which the book includes in both English and Polish - came very much from the heart.

He said: 'It was being alone in Norwich and thinking about my family and friends.

'Norwich is a beautiful town and I have loved it from the very first day - but I still think about my family all the time.'

Mr Przybyla got to know other poets in the area after going to a monthly poetry night at Jurnet's Bar in King Street.

He then worked with another Norwich writer he met there, Peter Goodrum, to record the poems in both English and Polish, producing a CD which is included with the book.

Mr Goodrum said: 'I was really impressed with the poems when he read them out aloud at the poetry evening.

'Although we couldn't understand the words because he was speaking Polish, his delivery was so lovely the meaning came across anyway.'

Mr Przybyla said the poems were influenced by his experience growing up in Poland, which he first left to work in Austria, Germany and Poland in 1990, following the fall of communism the year before.

He moved to the UK after finding work at a care home in Horsford.

Since coming here he has also worked for First Bus and at a recycling plant.

Mr Przybyla said he felt at home in the city. He said: 'In Norwich I have friends and I will stay here for the rest of my days.'

The book also includes information about Norwich and Tuchów, the town in Poland where Mr Przybyla used to live.

He said he wanted to thank Mr Goodrum as well as David Lander Raby, Lesley Graham and his translator Bogumila Zdzitowiecki for their support and work helping him put the book together.

Confession - made in England is on sale at The Book Hive in London Street.

The book will be officially launched at another poetry night at Jurnet's Bar November 21, starting at 8pm.