Babci in Worcester
Here is a view of my area in Worcester, the infamous Kelly square.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kft2sY9xfU
Written in 2011 for my paternal grandmother who lived with us. For my collection called “Growing up Polish”
Babci In Worcester lived with us.
Emilia ( Boltruczyk) Kosciuczyk, this one’s for you!
Adding an air of mystery to our lives.
At 12 she came from Poland to America, land of freedom.
She worked in a relatives tobacco farm in Western Massachusetts.
Married my grandfather, Leon Kosciuczyk, a metal artisan.
She never talked much, as she was lost in thought.
She taught us songs : Las Kotek
And taught us how to sew and cook.
She spoke some Russian from her childhood.
She took us birthday shopping to Woolworth’s!
Everyday she cooked with us for dinner, potatoes her forte!
Those mass holiday baking sessions with the aunts, and the neighbors making raisin filled babkas! When I peel potatoes or eat fried turkey , I feel her there with me.
My preference for ‘chai’ or “herbata”I know are from her and sharing tea is one of my favorite rituals in my own life.
Guess that is why the rug sellers tradition spoke right to my soul.
When I think of her favorites I fondly remember Chicken and stars soup!Root vegetables and she planted some in our garden too! Of course I have to mention orzo pasta, guess that’s why I love the Greek dishes with that felt so special to me!
She brought a coolness to our existence, my nickname Cinci she created!
What she thought as she gazed out the windows, I would have loved to know.
As I wrote this I was on my balcony with the cat and a cup of tea, feeling my special connection to her. Funny I was told I had a “Cold Russian” side to my personality. A toughness of inner spirit and ability to come through on my feet like a cat like in the song she taught us.
Babci in Worcester, you must be in heaven now, I ask for your blessings!