ROBBIE WILLIAMS
“why are they all looking at me?
could they know that I am Ukrainian” I always wonder
as I enter another bar
“could it be so obvious could it could it be so
could it be so obvious that I am Ukrainian”
I take off my jacket (an imported one—German, I believe, but no one wears them here)
I leave on my jeans purchased here this year
I leave on my sweater manufactured in the country of Peru
a sweater—made of fine alpaca wool
it’s of high quality and comfortable but no one wears them here
I leave on my American glasses
what else?
the shoes are somewhat sporty—they were in fashion four years ago
my look is hopeless
or maybe it just seems that way to me?
my mood wavers between fervent patriotism and punching someone in
the face
but that would blow my cover
“only Ukrainians can just punch someone in the face like that”
they suppose and they do have a point there
“only Ukrainians can sing so beautifully”
they suppose and they do have a point there
(“ok, no singing today”—I decide)
“only Ukrainians can undress you with their eyes like that”
they suppose and they’re not mistaken
“only Ukrainians could slaughter so many of us
in such a short period of time”
they suppose and they’re not mistaken
it in such a short period of time only Ukrainians could
I’ve got half an hour
to fulfill my historic mission
what can I accomplish in a half-hour’s time over a pint of beer?
analyze the events of today
just another day for a Ukrainian in Poland
and come to a self-satisfying conclusion:
“they simply like me for who I am”
and I return the favor by buying another beer
and Robbie Williams for the tenth time today tells me what it is he needs
from life:
“I just wanna feel real love” Robbie Williams sings
he and I need the same thing
today I won’t punch anyone in the face—
I take a step towards Ukrainian-Polish reconciliation
and I smile like no one here can
they can clearly see my teeth—a row of healthy white Ukrainian teeth
no one has teeth like that here
Translated by Mark Andryczyk