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Kraina IV. The Polish Immigrant

from Kraina by Anselm McDonnell

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lyrics

Text by Peter Skrzynecki ©1978

He has grown tired
of the clichéd
pronunciation of his name—
countering
the inadvertent ‘How d' yer . . . ?'
that humour
or rudeness asks,

a few vowels
and tooth-grinding consonants
that must be
phonetically rehearsed
alone or at night,

to forestall jibes,
embarrassments, false curiousity—
the wasted time
that a Handbook-and-Timetable
devotee provokes.

Yes, he would argue,
there must be places
in history
where land or heritage
asks no exile
of the children it nourishes
and helps to breed,

where a name's
not laughed at, reviled
or twisted
like some gross truth
or as yet unnamed, imported
European disease.

So, he asks,
Tell me of Strzlecki,
count-turned-explorer—
beside whose name
a creek flows
through the deserts
of South Australia?

Or why a mountain, peaked
with snow,
should resemble a tomb
and be named
Kosciuszko?

Their eyes narrow,
nostrils quaver—
the seconds
between them toll.

Deeply breathing
their mouths open
darkly
and groper-slow.

credits

from Kraina, track released January 26, 2024
Cahal Masterson - piano
Rebecca Murphy - soprano
Jonny McGuinness - recording engineer

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Anselm McDonnell Belfast, UK

Anselm McDonnell is a composer of Irish/Welsh heritage based in Belfast, who has composed over ninety pieces for orchestra, chamber groups, choirs, soloists and electronics. A diverse range of interests have led to the creation of work in collaboration with rap artists, lighting designers, theologians, poets, filmmakers, improvising musicians, fashion designers, dancers, and actors. ... more

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