In Krupnicza Street
Masonry now blocks the legendary gate
In Krupnicza
Visited by all greats of literature
Not only Polish
Resembles today
A literature excluded by
Pictures screens monitors scenes
By barrier of publishers readers managers
And ever wider circle of illiterates
From Krupnoca ever the bar is gone
Vodka-glasses and traditional pork chops
Left are vegetarian dishes and tea
Even if the shades of poets continue to wander about
Even if you hear the unfinished talks
And remains the unfinished drink
Not only of Ildefons
The candles alone
Are on as of yore in real candlesticks
Harking back to literary evenings
And sometimes still visiting here sentimental poets
Seduced by this place sighing that once it was…
So normal
Krakow, Krupnicza Street, 17 September 2009