10 Mary Street by Peter Skrzynecki explores themes such as immigration, belonging, change, continuity, and the intersection of personal experiences with broader historical and cultural contexts. The tone of the poem shifts between nostalgia, resilience, introspection, and a sense of acceptance. Skrzynecki’s words reflect the complexities and emotional nuances of the immigrant experience. ‘10 Mary Street‘ is a vivid and emotionally resonant poem that provides readers with a glimpse into the life of an immigrant family and their efforts to find a sense of belonging in a new land while navigating the challenges of change and adaptation.

10 Mary Street is one of Peter Skrzynecki’s most renowned poems, featured in his collection Immigrant Chronicle, published in 1975. Skrzynecki’s writing often reflects his own experiences as well as those of his family and the broader immigrant community. 

10 Mary Street | Summary and Analysis

The poem chronicles the life of a Polish family as they navigate their new home in Australia. Through vivid descriptions and poignant reflections, Skrzynecki explores themes of routine, change, memory, and the evolving sense of identity. The poem follows a free verse style, meaning it lacks a strict metrical pattern. The stanzas aren’t uniform in terms of lines or syllables, contributing to the poem’s fluidity and allowing Skrzynecki to emphasize different aspects of the family’s experiences. This choice lends a conversational and natural rhythm to the poem, reflecting the personal and introspective nature of the narrative. The poem also doesn’t adhere to a regular rhyme scheme, further contributing to its informal and conversational tone. 

Lines 1-6,  Summary and Analysis

For nineteen years

We departed 

Each morning, shut the house

Like a well-oiled lock,

Hit the key

Under a rusty bucket:

These opening lines from the poem set the stage for the themes of routine, belonging, and the passage of time. The lines depict the daily departure of the speaker’s family from their home for nineteen years. The house is described as being locked up meticulously each morning, symbolizing the routine and regularity of their lives. The use of the simile ‘Like a well-oiled lock’ suggests that the act of locking the house has become a well-practiced and smooth routine, emphasizing the sense of order and stability in their daily life. The repetition of the phrase ‘Hit the key’ underscores the regularity of this action. The key is hidden ‘Under a rusty bucket’ hints at the idea of concealing something valuable (the key) beneath something ordinary (the bucket), possibly symbolizing the immigrant experience of preserving cultural roots within a new environment. These lines also touch upon the themes of security and the passage of time. The locked house becomes a metaphor for the safety and stability the family seeks, while the years passing by are indicated by the reference to ‘nineteen years.’

Lines 7-10,  Summary and Analysis

 To school and work – 

Over that still too-narrow bridge,

Around the factory 

That was always burning down.

The lines describe the daily journeys of the family to school and work. The phrase ‘Over that still too-narrow bridge’ signifies the physical passage the family takes each day, emphasizing the idea of crossing over from one place to another. The use of the word ‘still’ might suggest that despite the routine, there’s a sense of stagnation or confinement. The mention of ‘the factory / That was always burning down’ introduces an element of instability and unpredictability. The factory, a symbol of work and livelihood, is beset by frequent fires. This could represent the uncertainties and setbacks that the family encounters in their pursuit of stability and success. Literary devices used in these lines include imagery (depicting the narrow bridge and the burning factory), symbolism (the factory representing work and the challenges of life), and juxtaposition (contrasting routine with the unpredictability of the factory fires).

Lines 11-17,  Summary and Analysis

Back at 5 p.m.

From the polite hum-drum

Of washing clothes 

And laying sewerage pipes,

My parents watered 

Plants – grew potatoes

And rows of sweet corn:

The lines describe the family’s return home at 5 p.m. after their day’s work and routine. The activities mentioned, such as ‘washing clothes’ and ‘laying sewerage pipes,’ suggest the practical and necessary aspects of life that the family engages in to maintain their household. These actions symbolize the family’s effort to establish a stable and functional life in their new environment. The act of nurturing plants and cultivating crops connects to themes of growth, sustenance, and resilience. These actions not only sustain the family physically but also hint at their desire to nurture a sense of belonging and connection to the land. Literary devices include imagery (depicting the chores and activities) and enjambment (continuation of a sentence beyond the end of a line, enhancing the flow of the description).

Lines 18-22,  Summary and Analysis

Tended roses and camellias 

Like adopted children 

Home from school earlier

I’d ravage the backyard garden

Like a hungry bird-

The lines describe the speaker’s engagement with the garden. The act of ‘Tended roses and camellias’ carries a sense of care and nurture, comparing the flowers to ‘adopted children.’ This metaphor underscores the speaker’s deep attachment to the garden, treating it as a living part of their family. ‘I’d ravage the backyard garden / Like a hungry bird-‘ introduces a simile that compares the speaker’s exploration of the garden to that of a ‘hungry bird.’ This vivid imagery conveys a sense of voracious curiosity and eagerness to engage with the surroundings. Literary devices include metaphors (comparing the flowers to adopted children), similes (comparing the speaker’s actions to those of a hungry bird), and continued use of enjambment.

Lines 23-27, Summary and Analysis

until, bursting at the seams 

Of me little blue

St Patrick’s College cap, 

I’d swear to stay off 

Strawberries and peas forever.

The lines depict the speaker’s time at St. Patrick’s College. The phrase ‘bursting at the seams / Of me little blue / St Patrick’s College cap’ uses imagery to convey a sense of exuberance and excitement. The cap, associated with the school uniform, becomes a symbol of the speaker’s identity and affiliation. The use of ‘bursting at the seams’ and the emphasis on the ‘little blue / St Patrick’s College cap’ could symbolize the speaker’s desire to express themselves and break free from constraints. The promise to avoid strawberries and peas takes on a symbolic meaning, representing the speaker’s commitment to becoming more independent and self-disciplined. Literary devices include imagery (depicting the bursting cap and the foods), symbolism (the cap representing identity), and colloquial language (‘me’ instead of ‘my’). The imagery and symbolism used help convey the speaker’s emotional engagement and the significance they find in seemingly small details. The lines showcase the complexity of personal development and the individual journey of maturation.

Lines 28-31,  Summary and Analysis

The house stands 

In its china-blue coat – 

With paint guaranteed 

For another ten years.

The lines convey the image of the house ‘In its china-blue coat,’ using the color ‘china-blue’ to evoke a sense of tranquility and perhaps nostalgia. The house becomes a symbol of stability and continuity within the ever-changing world. ‘With paint guaranteed / For another ten years’ carries a sense of permanence. The use of ‘guaranteed’ implies a sense of assurance and reliability. This notion of the paint lasting for ‘another ten years’ suggests that the house, much like the family’s routines and memories, will continue to endure and remain unchanged for the foreseeable future. The lines capture a feeling of comfort and familiarity associated with the family’s dwelling. The use of color and the imagery of paint provide a visual representation of the house’s enduring presence and its role as a consistent backdrop in the family’s life.

Lines 32-36,  Summary and Analysis

Lawns grow across

Dug-up beds of 

Spinach, carrots and tomato.

(The whole block

Has been gazetted for industry). 

The lines describe how ‘Lawns grow across’ what was once cultivated beds of ‘Spinach, carrots and tomato.’ This transformation from productive gardens to lawns highlights the changes in land use. The shift from nourishing crops to manicured lawns could symbolize the displacement of the family’s connection to the land by more conventional urban development. ‘The whole block / Has been gazetted for industry’ introduces a key shift in the surroundings. The word ‘gazetted’ indicates an official declaration, implying that the area has been designated for industrial use. This points to a larger theme of urbanization and progress, as well as the potential loss of natural and personal connections.

The poet uses vivid imagery to depict the contrast between the once-productive gardens and the now-empty lawns. This contrast emphasizes the impact of external forces on the landscape and the changing way of life. The lines also reflect the theme of impermanence and the evolving nature of neighborhoods as they adapt to urban development. The shift from gardens to lawns echoes the broader shifts experienced by the family in terms of their own adaptability and changing surroundings. The poet examines the tension between preserving traditions and adapting to changing circumstances.

Lines 37-42,  Summary and Analysis

For nineteen years 

We lived together – 

Kept pre-war Europe alive

With photographs and letters,

Heated with discussion 

And embracing gestures:

The lines ‘For nineteen years / We lived together’ emphasize the family’s long-lasting togetherness and stability. This period also aligns with the earlier mention of ‘nineteen years’ in the poem, highlighting the passage of time. ‘Kept pre-war Europe alive / With photographs and letters’ suggests the family’s commitment to preserving their cultural heritage. The use of ‘pre-war Europe’ indicates a connection to a time before upheaval, perhaps emphasizing a sense of nostalgia and longing for a past they’ve left behind.

The photographs and letters serve as tangible artifacts that connect them to their roots. ‘Heated with discussion / And embracing gestures’ speaks to the passionate conversations and affectionate interactions within the family. The discussions likely centered around memories, stories, and the broader cultural context. The ’embracing gestures’ indicate physical expressions of affection and unity. The lines capture the family’s unity and determination to maintain their connections amidst change.

Lines 43-50,  Summary and Analysis

Visitors that ate

Kielbasa, salt herrings

And rye bread, drank

Raw vodka or cherry brandy 

And smoked like 

A dozen Puffing Billies 

Naturalized more 

Than a decade ago

The lines describe the visitors who enjoyed traditional Polish foods like ‘Kielbasa, salt herrings / And rye bread,’ consumed traditional drinks such as ‘Raw vodka or cherry brandy,’ and even smoked ‘like / A dozen Puffing Billies.’ The vivid imagery conveys a sense of shared cultural experiences and indulgence in familiar tastes and habits. ‘Naturalized more / Than a decade ago’ refers to these visitors having assimilated into their new environment more than ten years prior. This suggests that despite their integration, they continue to celebrate and express their cultural heritage when visiting the family.

The poet captures the richness of these gatherings and the way in which they help maintain connections to the family’s cultural roots. The use of specific foods, drinks, and smoking habits adds a sensory dimension to the poem, enabling readers to imagine the atmosphere of these gatherings. The lines also underline the theme of continuity and adaptation, highlighting the blend of old and new cultures within the context of immigration. These moments of cultural exchange serve as a bridge between the past and the present for the family. Literary devices include imagery (depicting the foods, drinks, and smoking), symbolism (the consumption of traditional items representing a cultural connection), and continued use of enjambment to maintain the narrative flow.

Lines 51-55,  Summary and Analysis

We became citizens if the soil 

That was feeding us –

Inheritors of a key 

That’ll open no house 

When this one is pulled down.

‘We became citizens of the soil / That was feeding us’ conveys the family’s sense of belonging and attachment to the land. The use of ‘citizens’ indicates a more profound relationship than mere residents. They are intertwined with the soil that provides for them, symbolizing a symbiotic bond between the family and their environment.’Inheritors of a key / That’ll open no house / When this one is pulled down’ uses metaphor to convey a sense of impermanence. The ‘key’ symbolizes the family’s connection to their current home. However, as the house is ‘pulled down,’ this key loses its value. The lines highlight the transient nature of physical structures and possessions, underscoring the broader theme of change and adaptation.

The poet reflects on the dual nature of immigrants’ attachment to their homes. While the family becomes ‘citizens of the soil,’ their connection is complex, as it is dependent on their current residence. This realization might evoke a mix of emotions, including nostalgia and the awareness of their evolving identity. Literary devices include metaphors (the key representing their connection to the house), imagery (depicting the feeding soil and the pulling down of the house), and symbolism (the house representing a tangible connection to a place).

10 Mary Street | About the Author 

Peter Skrzynecki is an Australian poet and writer of Polish-Ukrainian descent, known for his exploration of themes related to immigration, identity, and belonging. He was born on April 6, 1945, in Germany, shortly after his family had fled Europe in the aftermath of World War II. They eventually settled in Australia in 1949. Skrzynecki’s personal experiences as an immigrant deeply influence his work, which often delves into the challenges and complexities of adapting to a new culture while maintaining ties to one’s heritage. His exploration of themes such as home, family, cultural roots, and the passage of time has resonated with readers globally.