Zofia Iwanicka, arrested in February 1944 in Warsaw, imprisoned in Pawiak then in Ravensbrück on April 23, 1944. Before the war, she printed poems for children. “Horyzonty” – a Polish magazine issued during WWII in Switzerland, published her camp poems.
Dawn, Day and Night Somewhere far away, There are honey-scented Old linden trees, so dear. At dawn, you may go Out to the garden, And shake the fragrant, Silvery dew from shrubs, And dip your bare feet In the cool fluffy grass, And see the first rays of the sun Reflected in the tarn. At hot noon, you may walk, On an unending dirt road, Stroll over a field of ripe rye, Gently touch full of grain ears, As they were, the wind swayed. You may step into a forest. And listen to the sound of pines. Your eyes will be soothed. With the harmony of hues. Touching is so gentle, With those lilac heathers On your burning temple. You may sit on a chair, In the evening, after work, Near old solitary oak, In front of the house, On the fresh-cut lawn. Listen to the hum of mosquitoes, Look at the heavens trail; And follow the flight of birds as they return to their nests. The stars are gleaming, And in the windows of the house Lights are turning on; But that glow is by night absorbed. In the evening, the village sounds, And dews are folding down. The day is finished with tedious work, Like in the old times, it smells Of gillyflower and rose. Maybe the house is waiting, For some stranger from far away? On the eyelashes, drops of tears Hung then fell on my hands. You may wonder if time, Has stopped or passed, And it might never happen, That someone, somewhere, No longer is among us. Ravensbruck, 10th August 1944