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Turkish Poetry - May 15, 2019 1 An Anthology of Turkish Poetry by A. Galip Ulsoy (translator) Susan K. Glowski (editor) Copyright © 2019 by A. Galip Ulsoy

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Page 1: An Anthology of Turkish Poetryulsoy/pdf/TurkishPoetry.pdf · Poems by AHMET ARIF INSIDE Have you heard, stone wall? Iron door, blind window, My pillow, my bunk, my chair, My hidden

TurkishPoetry-May15,2019 1

AnAnthologyof

TurkishPoetry

by

A.GalipUlsoy(translator)

SusanK.Glowski(editor)

Copyright©2019byA.GalipUlsoy

Page 2: An Anthology of Turkish Poetryulsoy/pdf/TurkishPoetry.pdf · Poems by AHMET ARIF INSIDE Have you heard, stone wall? Iron door, blind window, My pillow, my bunk, my chair, My hidden

TurkishPoetry-May15,2019 2

Preface

Turkishliteratureisveryrich,butnotverywidelyavailableinEnglishlanguagetranslation.SomeEnglishlanguagesourcesonthewebforTurkishPoetryinclude:

http://www.cs.rpi.edu/~sibel/poetry/

http://www.poetrytranslation.org/poems/from/turkey

http://www.poemhunter.com/nazim-hikmet/poems/

http://www.ottomansouvenir.com/General/Turkish_Poetry.htm

http://jacketmagazine.com/34/eda-poems.shtml

http://www.turkishclass.com/turkish/poetry/poems.php

http://www.transcript-review.org/en/issue/transcript-30-poetry-from-turkey/new-turkish-poetry/bejan-matur

PoetryintheTurkishlanguageisquitevaried,includingfolkpoetry,poetryoftheOttomancourt,aswellascontemporarypoetry.PleaseseetheWikipediapageonTurkishPoetryforfurtherbackground:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poetry_of_Turkey

TheselectionsinthisAnthologyarealloriginaltranslations.Theyaresimplysomefavorites,andarenotyetorganizedinanyparticularorder.Pleaseenjoy!

Page 3: An Anthology of Turkish Poetryulsoy/pdf/TurkishPoetry.pdf · Poems by AHMET ARIF INSIDE Have you heard, stone wall? Iron door, blind window, My pillow, my bunk, my chair, My hidden

TurkishPoetry-May15,2019 3

Contents

AhmetArif–seehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahmed_Arif

NazimHikmet–seehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nâzım_Hikmet

FazılHüsnüDağlarca–seehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fazıl_Hüsnü_Dağlarca

YahyaKemalBeyatlı–seehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yahya_Kemal_Beyatlı

OrhanVeliKanık-seehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orhan_Veli_Kanık

CahitSıtkıTarancı–seehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cahit_Sıtkı_Tarancı

YunusEmre–seehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yunus_Emre

KaygusuzAbdal-seehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaygusuz_Abdal

Karacaoğlan–seehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karacaoğlan

SeyyidNesimi

PirSultanAbdal-seehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pir_Sultan_Abdal

Emrah

BursalıHalil

Gevheri

AşıkCevdet

AşıkVeysel–seehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Âşık_Veysel

SelectedTurkishFolkSongs

Page 4: An Anthology of Turkish Poetryulsoy/pdf/TurkishPoetry.pdf · Poems by AHMET ARIF INSIDE Have you heard, stone wall? Iron door, blind window, My pillow, my bunk, my chair, My hidden

TurkishPoetry-May15,2019 4

PoemsbyAHMETARIF

INSIDE

Haveyouheard,stonewall?

Irondoor,blindwindow,

Mypillow,mybunk,mychair,

Myhiddensadpictureforwhich

Iriskdeathagainandagain,

Haveyouheard?

Myvisitorbroughtgreenonions,

Mycigarettessmellofcloves

Springhascometothemountainsofmyland

EVENINGCOMESEARLYINPRISON

Eveningcomesearlyinprison.

Ifyouwereadragonitwouldnothelp.

Notyourskillinfighting,

Noryourhell-heartedbravery.

Theydonogoodagainstthelonging,

Finelycreepinginandtakingover.

Eveningcomesearlyinprison.

Thesevenlatchescomedown

Onthesevengates.

Suddenlytheyardisintears.

Acrosstheway,againstthewall,

Page 5: An Anthology of Turkish Poetryulsoy/pdf/TurkishPoetry.pdf · Poems by AHMET ARIF INSIDE Have you heard, stone wall? Iron door, blind window, My pillow, my bunk, my chair, My hidden

TurkishPoetry-May15,2019 5

Threestemsofnightpleasure,

Threepansyplants….

Itisallthesameterriblelove:

Cloudinthesky,apricotonthebranch.

Imprisonmentstartstohurt.

Theblacknessboredom…

SomeonetalksoftheKurd'sbride

AndIpacenexttomybunk

Andfantasizeimpossiblethings

Ridiculous,naïve,childish…

TobeshotandlostIthink,

Nakedinafight.

Itmustbefair,Ithink,

Friendshipandenmity.

Butnothinghappens,

Thebayonetsarefixed.

Theguard'snightshiftbegins...

WithpassionIstrikeamatch,

Intwodragshalfmycigaretteisgone,

Iinhalethesmokedeeply,

Iinhalethesmokeasiftokillmyself.

Iknowyouwillsay:"Youtoo?"

Buteveningcomesearlyinprison.

Andoutsideahot-bloodedspring,

Page 6: An Anthology of Turkish Poetryulsoy/pdf/TurkishPoetry.pdf · Poems by AHMET ARIF INSIDE Have you heard, stone wall? Iron door, blind window, My pillow, my bunk, my chair, My hidden

TurkishPoetry-May15,2019 6

Iloveyou,

Madly….

IWOREOUTSHACKLESLONGINGFORYOU

You,toexplainyou.

Togoodchildren,toheroes.

You,toexplainyou,

Tothedishonorable;

Toinsensitive,bastardlylies.

Howmanyendlesscoldwinters?

Thewolfsleeps,thebirdsleeps,theprisonsleeps.

Andoutsidearoaringflowingworld…

OnlyIdidnotsleep,

Howmanysprings,love?

Iworeoutshackleslongingforyou.

Letmeputblood-redrosesinyourhair,

Oneonthisside,

Oneontheother…

You,toshoutyou,

Tobottomlesswells,

Toflowingstars,

Totheinsignificantmatchstick…

Thematchstickfloating

Ontheocean'smostdesertedwave.

Page 7: An Anthology of Turkish Poetryulsoy/pdf/TurkishPoetry.pdf · Poems by AHMET ARIF INSIDE Have you heard, stone wall? Iron door, blind window, My pillow, my bunk, my chair, My hidden

TurkishPoetry-May15,2019 7

Toonewhohaslostthesparkleoflostloves,

Whohaslostkisses,

Whohasnoclaiminthesuddenlydescendingnight,

Whowithaglass,acigarette,justdreamson,

You,toexplainyou…

Yournon-existenceishell'sothername

I'mcold,don'tcloseyoureyes…

YOURLOVE

Yourlovedidnotdesertme,

Iwashungry,Iwasthirsty,

Thenightwastreacherousanddark.

Abodylonely,abodyquiet,

Abodytornapart…

Andmyhandsmanacled,

Iwaswithouttobaccoandsleep,

Yourlovedidnotdesertme.

ANATOLIA1

IhavegivencradlestoNoah,

Swingsandhammocks,

YourmotherEveisstillmybaby,

IamAnatolia,

Doyouknowme?

Page 8: An Anthology of Turkish Poetryulsoy/pdf/TurkishPoetry.pdf · Poems by AHMET ARIF INSIDE Have you heard, stone wall? Iron door, blind window, My pillow, my bunk, my chair, My hidden

TurkishPoetry-May15,2019 8

Iamashamed,

Ashamedofpoverty,

Nakedinfrontofall…

Myseedlingsarecold,

Myharvestsaresmall.

Inthisworldof

Brotherhood,labor

Andunity,

Aworldoftheblossomingrosesofatombombs,

Andofpoetsandscientists,

Iamalone,

Analoneanddistantland.

Doyouunderstand?

Ihavebeenmilkedformillennia,

Withtheirterriblehorsestheytoreapart

Mygentlemorningslumbers,

Emperors,conquerors,androbbers,

Taxedmylands.

IpaidnomindtoAlexander

OrtoSultanMurat.

Theyhaveleftwithoutatrace!

Ihaveacknowledgedmyfriend

Andlasted…

Doyouunderstand?

Page 9: An Anthology of Turkish Poetryulsoy/pdf/TurkishPoetry.pdf · Poems by AHMET ARIF INSIDE Have you heard, stone wall? Iron door, blind window, My pillow, my bunk, my chair, My hidden

TurkishPoetry-May15,2019 9

IfyouonlyknewhowIlove,

Koroglu2,

Karayilan2,

Andtheunknownsoldier…

AlsoPirSultan2andBedrettin2.

Andbooksdon'ttell…

Agreatlove…

Ifyouonlyknewhowmuch

Theylovedme.

Ifyouonlyknew,howthoseatUrfa3

Laughedatdeath,

Fromtheminarets,theshelters

Andthecypresstrees.

Idefinitelywantyoutoknow,

Doyouhearme?

Don'tstandthereso…

Sosad,sohelpless…

Whereveryoumaybe,

Insideorout,inclassoratyourdesk,

Walkathim…athim…

Spitintheexecutioner'sface,

Spitattheopportunist,theintriguer,thetraitor…

Strugglebylearning,

Strugglebyworking,

Withyournails,withyourteeth,

Page 10: An Anthology of Turkish Poetryulsoy/pdf/TurkishPoetry.pdf · Poems by AHMET ARIF INSIDE Have you heard, stone wall? Iron door, blind window, My pillow, my bunk, my chair, My hidden

TurkishPoetry-May15,2019 10

Withhope,withlove,withdreams.

Struggle;don'tdisgraceme.

SeehowIcanberebuilt,

Byyouryoungandhonesthands.

Daughters,

Andsonsinmyfuture,

Eachoneanindispensablepieceoftheearth.

Thebudsofmythousand-yearlonging,

Ikissyoureyes,

Youreyes.

Youaremyonlyhope,

Doyourealize?

Notes:

1. Asiaminor;theAsianpartofTurkey.2. Koroglu,Karayilan,PirSultanandBedrettinareallTurkishfolk

figures/heroes.3. AcityinsoutheasternTurkeywhereanimportantbattleintheTurkishwar

ofindependencetookplace.

THIRTYTHREEBULLETS

1.

ThisisMengeneMountain1

WhenthesunrisesinVan2

ThismountainisNemrut's3baby

AtsunriseacrossfromNemrut

Onesideisavalancheprone;Caucasushorizon.

Page 11: An Anthology of Turkish Poetryulsoy/pdf/TurkishPoetry.pdf · Poems by AHMET ARIF INSIDE Have you heard, stone wall? Iron door, blind window, My pillow, my bunk, my chair, My hidden

TurkishPoetry-May15,2019 11

OnesidefacesMecca;Persianproperty.

Onthesummittheiciclebunches

Escapedpigeonsbythewaterholes

Andtheherdsofroedeer,

Thequailflocks…

Braverycannotbedenied

Inone-to-onecombattheyareunbeaten

Sincethousandsofyears,thepeoplehere.

Come,howcanwedeliverthenews

Theyarenotaflockofcranes

Notaconstellationinthesky

Aheartwiththirtythreebullets

Thirtythreebloodfountains

Unflowing,

Theyhavebecomealakeonthismountain…

2.

Arabbitranfromthefootofthehill

Itsbackisspeckledgrey

Itsstomachmilkwhite

Apoortwo-livedmountainrabbit

Scaredtodeath,sohelpless

Itmakesamanregret

Uncrowded…uncrowdedthehour

Itwasafaultlessnakeddawn

Oneofthethirtythreelooked

Page 12: An Anthology of Turkish Poetryulsoy/pdf/TurkishPoetry.pdf · Poems by AHMET ARIF INSIDE Have you heard, stone wall? Iron door, blind window, My pillow, my bunk, my chair, My hidden

TurkishPoetry-May15,2019 12

Theheavyemptinessofhungerinhisstomach

Hishairandbeardlong,

Afleaonhiscollar;

Helooked,hisshirtsleevesrolled,

Ahell-heartedbrave,

Firstatthepoorrabbitthenaway.

Herememberedhisflintlock,

Unhappyunderhispillow,

Herememberedtheponyfromthevalleybelow,

Bluebeadsonitsforelocks,

Whiteonitsforehead,

Itsthreehooveswhite,

Arestless,wildandgraceful

Chestnutmare.

HowtheyhadflownpastHozat4

Nowifonlyhehadnotbeen,

Helplessandtied,

Acoldbarrelbehindhisback,

Hecouldhavetakenrefugeintheheights.

Themountains,friendlymountains,knowtheirstrength,

Godknowsthesehandswon'tshameaman,

Craftsman'shands,

Thatinthefirstshot

Blowawaytheburningcigarette'sashes,

Theviper'stongue

Thatsparklesinthesun.

Page 13: An Anthology of Turkish Poetryulsoy/pdf/TurkishPoetry.pdf · Poems by AHMET ARIF INSIDE Have you heard, stone wall? Iron door, blind window, My pillow, my bunk, my chair, My hidden

TurkishPoetry-May15,2019 13

Theseeyesdidnotfailevenonce

Theseeyesexpected

Thedestructionofavalanche-awaitingpasses

Thesnowy,softtreachery

Ofthecliffs…

Hopeless

Hewouldbeshot

Theorderwasfinal,

Lethiseyesbeeatenbyblindreptiles

Hisheartbyvultures…

3.

Ihavebeenshot

Inasecludedpassinthemountains

Atmorningprayertime

Ilie

Bloody,stretchedout…

Ihavebeenshot

Mydreamblackerthannight

Noonetointerpretitforthegood.

Theytakemylifeprematurely

Icannotmakeitintothebooks

Ageneralhasgivenorders

Ihavebeenshot,withouthearingortrial

Friend,writethisjustasIsay

Page 14: An Anthology of Turkish Poetryulsoy/pdf/TurkishPoetry.pdf · Poems by AHMET ARIF INSIDE Have you heard, stone wall? Iron door, blind window, My pillow, my bunk, my chair, My hidden

TurkishPoetry-May15,2019 14

Somemaythinkitarumor

Thesearenotbreastsofrose

Theyaredum-dumbullets

Inmytornmouth…

4.

Theyexecutedthedeathsentence,

Theybathedinblood

Thebluemountainsmoke

Thehalf-asleepearlymorningbreeze

Thentheycampedthere

Andcarefullytheysearched

Mybreastpocket,

Theytoreapart

Myhand-wovenredbeltfromKirman5

Theytookmybeadsandtobaccocase,

AllpresentsfromIran…

Wearefriends,wearekin,tiedwithblood

Tothevillagesacrosstheborder

Wehaveexchangedwomenforcenturies

Weareneighbors.

Ourchickensoftenmix.

Notoutofignorance,

Outofpoverty,

Wehaveignoredpassports

Thisisoutfatalcrime,

Page 15: An Anthology of Turkish Poetryulsoy/pdf/TurkishPoetry.pdf · Poems by AHMET ARIF INSIDE Have you heard, stone wall? Iron door, blind window, My pillow, my bunk, my chair, My hidden

TurkishPoetry-May15,2019 15

Nowweareknownasoutlaws

Assmugglers

Asthieves

Astraitors…

Friend,writethisjustasIsay

Somemaythinkitarumor

Thesearenotbreastsofrose

Theyaredum-dumbullets

Inmytornmouth…

5.

Hitme,damnit,

Hitme.

Idon'tdieeasy.

Myessenceistemperedinfire,

Ihaveastandingpromise

Tothosewhounderstand.

MyfathergavehiseyesattheUrfa6front

Andthreeofhisbrothers

Threegentlecypresses,

Threechunksofmountainstillthirstyforlife.

Whenfromthewalls,thehills,theminarets,

Thechildrenoffriendsandkin

StoodagainsttheFrenchbullets,

Hismoustachenewlygrown

MyyoungeruncleNazif

Page 16: An Anthology of Turkish Poetryulsoy/pdf/TurkishPoetry.pdf · Poems by AHMET ARIF INSIDE Have you heard, stone wall? Iron door, blind window, My pillow, my bunk, my chair, My hidden

TurkishPoetry-May15,2019 16

Handsome,

Light

Goodhorseman

Saidstrikebrothers

Thedayofhonorishere

Andrearedhishorseonitshindfeet.

Friend,writethisjustasIsay

Somemaythinkitarumor

Thesearenotbreastsofrose

Theyaredum-dumbullets

Inmytornmouth…

Notes:

1. MengeneisamountaineasternTurkey2. VanisacityinsoutheasternTurkey3. NemrutislargemountainineasternTurkey4. HozatisatownineasternTurkey5. KirmanisacityinIran6. UrfaisacityinsoutheasternTurkeywhereoneofthebattlesoftheTurkish

warofindependencewasfought

Page 17: An Anthology of Turkish Poetryulsoy/pdf/TurkishPoetry.pdf · Poems by AHMET ARIF INSIDE Have you heard, stone wall? Iron door, blind window, My pillow, my bunk, my chair, My hidden

TurkishPoetry-May15,2019 17

PoemsbyNAZIMHIKMET

THEHORSEMAN'SSONG

GallopingfromfarthestAsia,

juttingintotheMediterraneanliketheheadofamare,

thiscountryisours.

Wristsinblood,teethclenched,feetbare

andthesoilbeneathlikeasilkcarpet,

thishell,thisheavenisours.

Closethegatesofdependence,nevertobereopened,

eliminateman'sservitudetoman,

thisinvitationisours.

Tolivesingleandfreelikeatree

andinbrotherhoodlikeaforest,

thislongingisours.

THELASTBUS

Midnightthelastbus,

Theticketsarebought.

Thereisnobadnewswaitingformeathome,

Noristhereafeast.

Separationawaitsme.

Iwalktowardsseparationfearless

Andwithoutsorrow.

Iamveryclosetothegreatdarkness.

Icanwatchtheworldnow,

Calmandcomfortable.

Page 18: An Anthology of Turkish Poetryulsoy/pdf/TurkishPoetry.pdf · Poems by AHMET ARIF INSIDE Have you heard, stone wall? Iron door, blind window, My pillow, my bunk, my chair, My hidden

TurkishPoetry-May15,2019 18

Afriend'sdeceptiondoesnotsurprisemenow,

Theknifehestabsmewithasheshakesmyhand.

Useless,theenemynolongerscaresme.

Ihavegonethroughtheforestoffetishes

Chopping,

Howeasilytheyfell.

Ilookedagainatmybeliefs

Manythanksmostofthemwerepure.

Ihadneverfeltsopurifiedbefore,

Norsofree.

Iamveryclosetothegreatdarkness.

Icanwatchtheworldnow,

Calmandcomfortable.

Idon'tliftmyheadfrommyworkandlook,

Fromthepastbeforemeappear,

Aword,

Asmell,

Ahandwaiving,

Thewordisfriendly,

Thesmellisbeautiful,

Itismybelovedwaiving.

Theinvitationofmemoriesnolongersaddensme,

Ihavenocomplaintsaboutmemories,

ThereisnothingIhavecomplaintsaboutanyway,

Notevenaboutmyheart

Thatacheswithoutend,likeahugetooth.

Page 19: An Anthology of Turkish Poetryulsoy/pdf/TurkishPoetry.pdf · Poems by AHMET ARIF INSIDE Have you heard, stone wall? Iron door, blind window, My pillow, my bunk, my chair, My hidden

TurkishPoetry-May15,2019 19

LIKEKEREM*

Theairisleadenthick!

I'm

shouting

out

loud.

Run

I'mcalling

you

tomelt

lead…

Hesaystome:

-Youwillbereducedtoashesbyyourownvoice!

by

burning

like

Kerem…

"Troubles

aremany,

sympathizers

few."

The

ears

of

hearts

aredeaf…

Theairisleadenthick!…

Page 20: An Anthology of Turkish Poetryulsoy/pdf/TurkishPoetry.pdf · Poems by AHMET ARIF INSIDE Have you heard, stone wall? Iron door, blind window, My pillow, my bunk, my chair, My hidden

TurkishPoetry-May15,2019 20

Isaytohim:

-Letmebereducedtoashes

by

burning

like

Kerem…

IfIdon'tburn

Ifyoudon'tburn

Ifwedon'tburn,

Thenhowcan

darkness

receive

thelight…

Theairispregnantlikesoil.

Theairisleadenthick.

I'm

shouting

out

loud.

Run

I'mcalling

you

tomelt

lead…

Note:

*KeremistheheroofaTurkishfolklegendwhoisconsumedbyfirewhenhelooksathisbeloved(Aslı)beforeheissupposedto(OrpheuslookingbacktoseeEurydice).

Page 21: An Anthology of Turkish Poetryulsoy/pdf/TurkishPoetry.pdf · Poems by AHMET ARIF INSIDE Have you heard, stone wall? Iron door, blind window, My pillow, my bunk, my chair, My hidden

TurkishPoetry-May15,2019 21

INBERLIN

InBerlinattheAstoriarestaurant

therewasawaitressgirl,

agirllikeadropofsilver.

Shewouldsmileatmeovertheheavy,loadedtrays.

ShelookedlikethegirlsofthecountryIhavelost

ButIdonotknowwhy

shewouldsometimeshaveablackeye.

Ineverhadthechance

tositatoneofthetablesshewaitedon.

HeneveroncesatatthetablesIwaitedon.

Hewasanoldman.

Ithinkhewasilltoo,

hehadaspecialdiet.

Heknewhowtogivemelongsadlooks

buthedidnotknowGerman.

Threemonths,threemeals,hecameandwent,

thenhedisappeared.

Maybehehasreturnedtohiscountry

maybehehasdiedbeforehecouldreturn.

Page 22: An Anthology of Turkish Poetryulsoy/pdf/TurkishPoetry.pdf · Poems by AHMET ARIF INSIDE Have you heard, stone wall? Iron door, blind window, My pillow, my bunk, my chair, My hidden

TurkishPoetry-May15,2019 22

PoemsbyFAZILHÜSNÜDAĞLARCA

GREENINGTHEEARTHANDSKY

Hecomesonabeamoflight

Mevlana*

Mevlanaisn't,

Mevlana

Mevlanais,

Mevlana

Hegoesonabeamoflight

Note:

*MevlanaCelaleddin-iRumi,knownsimplyasRumi,wasa13thcenturyPersianpoet,livinginAnatolia,whowasalsoajurist,Islamicscholar,theologianandaSufimystic.

HOMEFRONTI

ThesonofMehmethadsixsons,

Sixpoplarssixwillowssix

Theygrewwiththedayandnight

Sixpoplarssixwillowssix

Theylivedsofastlikethewind

Sixpoplarssixwillowssix

Sotall,sobroad,sothick

Sixpoplarssixwillowssix

Thefieldsandpasturesemeraldgreen

Page 23: An Anthology of Turkish Poetryulsoy/pdf/TurkishPoetry.pdf · Poems by AHMET ARIF INSIDE Have you heard, stone wall? Iron door, blind window, My pillow, my bunk, my chair, My hidden

TurkishPoetry-May15,2019 23

Sixpoplarssixwillowssix

Handsplow,handsscythe,handsstone

Sixpoplarssixwillowssix

ThesonofMehmethadsixsons

Sixpoplarssixwillowssix

Opentothesevenlevelsoftheheavens

Sixpoplarssixwillowssix

HOMEFRONTII

Thefather'snamebecamethesons'

AllsixwereMehmet,everybranch

Theirfacesaface

Theireyesaneye

AllsixwereMehmet,everybranch

Theyoungestwas13years

AllsixwereMehmet,everybranch

Theirages4or9yearsapart

Theoldesthadreached48

AllsixwereMehmet,everybranch

Theybroughtjoytothefieldsandanimals

AllsixwereMehmet,everybranch

Theirheightsaheight

Theirhandsahand

AllsixwereMehmet,everybranch

Page 24: An Anthology of Turkish Poetryulsoy/pdf/TurkishPoetry.pdf · Poems by AHMET ARIF INSIDE Have you heard, stone wall? Iron door, blind window, My pillow, my bunk, my chair, My hidden

TurkishPoetry-May15,2019 24

VOLUNTEERSII

Wecametodivisionheadquarters,theysaid:"Halt!"

Wesalutedatattention

"We'revolunteers,"saidtallMehmet

TheytookustotheCommander

"Hello,"saidastarrywhiteman

Wesalutedatattention

TheCommanderasked:"Whoareyou?Wherefrom?"

Wesalutedatattention

"We'rebrothers,we'llfight,"saidtallMehmetinabreath

Thatinstantaglowpassedthroughthetent

TheCommanderlookedusover,onebyone

Wesalutedatattention

"Blessyoumysons,"saidourcommanderlovingly

Wesalutedatattention

"Assignthemalltothefirstregiment,"hesaid

Thatpreviousglowbrightenedalittle

"Thankyou,"saidtallMehmetwithhiscavernousvoice

Wesalutedatattention

VOLUNTEERSIII

Theregimentcommandersureisyoung

Hecalledusbrothers,brotherswebecame

"Godhasn'tseparatedyou,howcanI?"heasked

Page 25: An Anthology of Turkish Poetryulsoy/pdf/TurkishPoetry.pdf · Poems by AHMET ARIF INSIDE Have you heard, stone wall? Iron door, blind window, My pillow, my bunk, my chair, My hidden

TurkishPoetry-May15,2019 25

HeassignedallsixtotheFirstCompany

Hecalledusbrothers,brotherswebecame

Heaskedusournamesonebyone

"Mehmet,"saidtallMehmet

"Mehmet,"saidcrazyMehmet

"Mehmet,"saidgreyMehmet

Hecalledusbrothers,brotherswebecame

TheMajor,laughing,said:"andyou?"

"Mehmet,"saidbroadMehmet

"Mehmet,"saidwhiteMehmet

TheMajorthenturnedredwithjoy

Hekissedeachoneofus,said"blessyou"

Hecalledusbrothers,brotherswebecame

THESIXMEHMET'SSQUADRON

TheCaptaincouldnotbeartoseparateseither

Hemadethesixofussquadron

TallMehmetbecameourCorporal

TallMehmetGallipoli,Caucasus,Yemen

Ourelderhadbeenacorporalinthoseplaces

Thewindsofbloodandfireblewoverus

Wecrawled,werolled,wejumped

Ourpalmssplitopenonthehillsandfields

Page 26: An Anthology of Turkish Poetryulsoy/pdf/TurkishPoetry.pdf · Poems by AHMET ARIF INSIDE Have you heard, stone wall? Iron door, blind window, My pillow, my bunk, my chair, My hidden

TurkishPoetry-May15,2019 26

Thosethreefrontsbecameourchests

Suchhardwork,youhadtoseeit

Welearnedthreemilitaryartsinthreedays

Youcan'ttalkbacktoacorporal

Oursquadronwaslikeasingleman,sounited

Wecommunicatedviawinksandwhistles

Evenwhenwelaydownwewereasifrested

Asifwealwayscarriedtheflag

Page 27: An Anthology of Turkish Poetryulsoy/pdf/TurkishPoetry.pdf · Poems by AHMET ARIF INSIDE Have you heard, stone wall? Iron door, blind window, My pillow, my bunk, my chair, My hidden

TurkishPoetry-May15,2019 27

PoemsbyYAHYAKEMALBEYATLI

SNOWMUSIC

Thisisthecompositionofathousandyearnight

Thisistheenduringsoundofthesnow

Mournfullikeprayersatasecludedmonastery

Anendlesschorusfromahundredmouths

Thesoundofanorgancomesfromafar

SlavicsadnessI'veexperiencedwithoutjoy

Mymindisfarfromthiscity,thisage

TanburiCemilBey*playsonanoldrecording

SuddenlyIamhappywiththedesiretohear

MyheartisfilledwiththatsoundfromIstanbul

Iimaginedthesnowanddarknessfaded

Forafullnight,inmysleep,IamnowontheBay.

Note:

*NineteenthcenturyOttomantanbourvirtuosoandcomposer

SILENTSHIP

Ifthemomenthasarrivedtoliftanchorfromtime

Ashipgoingtotheunknownleavesthisport

Itsailssilentlyasifithadnopassengers

Notahandkerchief,notahandwaveatdeparture

Thosestandingonthepieraregrievedbythisjourney

Theystareatthebleakhorizon,tearsintheireyes

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TurkishPoetry-May15,2019 28

Poorsouls!Thisisnotthelastshiptoleave

Thisisnotthelastmourninginasadlife.

Hopelesslytheloversandbelovedwaitinthisworld

Theydonotknowthedepartedwillnotreturn

Allofthemmustbecontentwheretheyhavegone

Manyyearshavepassedandnonereturn.

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TurkishPoetry-May15,2019 29

PoemsbyORHANVELIKANIK

LISTENINGTOISTANBUL

IamlisteningtoIstanbul,myeyesclosed;

Firstasoftbreezeblows;

Slowlytheystir

Theleavesinthetrees:

Distant,verydistant,

Thewatercarrier'sendlessringinggrows;

IamlisteningtoIstanbul,myeyesclosed;

IamlisteningtoIstanbul,myeyesclosed;

Justthenbirdsflyby;

Highup,inhugeflocks,screaming.

Fishingnetsarebeingdrawnoutofthewater;

Thewatertouchesawoman'stoes;

IamlisteningtoIstanbul,myeyesclosed;

IamlisteningtoIstanbul,myeyesclosed;

Thecoolcoveredbazaar;

ThecrowdedMahmutpasamarket;

Pigeonfilledcourtyards.

Thesoundofhammerscomefromthedocks,

Thesmellofsweatandthespringbreezejuxtaposed;

IamlisteningtoIstanbul,myeyesclosed;

IamlisteningtoIstanbul,myeyesclosed;

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TurkishPoetry-May15,2019 30

Avillawithitssecludedboathouses,

Drunkwiththeflavorofpastdays;

Underadyingsouthwind'sforce

IamlisteningtoIstanbul,myeyesclosed;

IamlisteningtoIstanbul,myeyesclosed;

Acoquettewalksdownthestreet;

Swearing,singingandapproachesgalore.

Somethingfallsfromherhandtotheground;

Itmustbearose;

IamlisteningtoIstanbul,myeyesclosed;

IamlisteningtoIstanbul,myeyesclosed;

Abirdfluttersaboutyourskirt;

Iknowthatyourfaceisflushed;

Iknowthatyourlipsarewet;

Awhitemoonisrisingbehindthetrees

Icantell;yourheartbeatissofull;

IamlisteningtoIstanbul.

HOYLU-LU

Iwouldalsoliketohave

Blackfriendswithstrange,unheardofnames.

Iwouldliketotravelwiththem

FromtheharborsofMadagascartoChina.

Iwouldliketolistentooneofthem

Onthedeckoftheship,facingthestars,

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TurkishPoetry-May15,2019 31

Singingthesong"HoyLu-Lu"everynight.

AndIwouldliketorunintooneofthem,oneday,

Allofasudden…

InParis.

FORYOU

Foryou,myhumanfriends

Theyareallforyou

Thenightisforyou,aswellastheday

Daylightintheday,moonlightatnight

Leavesinthemoonlight

Curiosityintheleaves

Intelligenceintheleaves

Athousandandgreensinthedaylight

Theyellowsareforyou,aswellasthepinks

Skintouchingapalm

It'swarmth

It'stenderness

Thecomfortinlyingdown

TheHello'sareforyou

Foryouthemastsrockingintheharbor

Thenamesofthedays

Thenamesofthemonths

Thepaintontheboatsisforyou

Foryouthemailman'sfeet

Thepotter'shands

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TurkishPoetry-May15,2019 32

Thesweatpouringfromforeheads

Thebulletsspentatthefront

Foryouthegravesandgravestones

Theprisons,thehandcuffs,thedeathsentence

Foryou

Theyareallforyou.

INDOORS

Awindow,awindowisbest

Youcanwatchthebirdsflyby

Andyouwon'thavetoseetherest

BEAUTIFULWEATHER

Beautifulweathersuchasthishasruinedme.

Itwasinweathersuchasthis

WhenIresignedmygovernmentjob.

Ibecameaddictedtotobaccoinsuchweather.

InsuchweatherIfellinlove.

Iforgottobringhomethebreadandsalt

Inweathersuchasthis.

Mypoetrywritingdisease

Alwaysrecurredinsuchweather.

Beautifulweathersuchasthishasruinedme.

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TurkishPoetry-May15,2019 33

PoemsbyCAHİTSITKITARANCI

MYDAILYSONG

Whilethecityisdepressing,

Thewindisinviting,

Thefuturefree,

Andthebodyyoung,

Whilethewhitesails

Opendailyinthousands

Onthebluewater,

Whynotsaygoodbye

Tothecity

Andbeapassenger,

Whilethecityisdepressing,

Thewindisinviting,

Thefuturefree,

Andthebodyyoung?

AGE35POEM

Age35!Thehalfwaymarkonourjourney.

LikeDanteweareinthemiddleoflife.

Theessenceofyouthdisappears

(nousemoaningandgroaning)

andpaysnomindtoyourtears.

Arethosesnowflakesonmytemples?

Isthatwrinkledfacereallymine?

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TurkishPoetry-May15,2019 34

Arethosepurpleringsundermyeyes?

Myoldfriendthemirror,

Iamnowstartingtodespise.

Howapersonchangeswithtime

AnyoldphotoIlookatisnotmine

Wherearethosedaysofpassionandjoy

Thatsmilingmanissurelynotme

ItsaliethatI'mhappy,justaploy

Hazymemoriesoffirstlove

Eventhosememoriesarestrangers

Ouroldfriends:ouryoungpartnersincrime

Havegonetheirseparateways

Ourlonelinessonlygrowswithtime

Theskyactuallyhasmanycolors

AndIjustnoticedthatarockishard,

Thatwaterdrowns,andfireburns

Thateverydaybringsafeelingofdread

Ionlylearnedthesetruthsaftermanyturns

Theredandyellowfallcolors

Iembracethemmoreeveryyear

Whatarethosevulturescircling?

Whodied,whosefuneralisthat?

Whosegardenisthatinruin?

Page 35: An Anthology of Turkish Poetryulsoy/pdf/TurkishPoetry.pdf · Poems by AHMET ARIF INSIDE Have you heard, stone wall? Iron door, blind window, My pillow, my bunk, my chair, My hidden

TurkishPoetry-May15,2019 35

Deathhangsovereveryone'shead

Onedayyoujustdon'twakeup

Whoknowswhere,when,atwhatage?

Youwillhaveyourlastsay

Onyourfinalthrone:yourgravestone

Page 36: An Anthology of Turkish Poetryulsoy/pdf/TurkishPoetry.pdf · Poems by AHMET ARIF INSIDE Have you heard, stone wall? Iron door, blind window, My pillow, my bunk, my chair, My hidden

TurkishPoetry-May15,2019 36

PoemsbyYunusEmre

YOU,YOU

Yourlovehastakenmyselfaway

WhatIneedisyou,you

Iburnforyoubothnightandday

WhatIneedisyou,you!

Idonotrejoiceinexistence

Norworryovernothingness

Iamoccupiedbyyourlovingness,

WhatIneedisyou,you!

Discussioniswhatthereligiousneed,

Theotherworldiswhatbelieversneed,

Thebelovediswhatloversneed,

WhatIneedisyou,you!

Heaven,heavenastheycallit,

Afewpalaceswithafewangelsinit..

Givethattowhoeverwantsit,

WhatIneedisyou,you!

YUNUSstandsmyname,

Eachpassingdayfeedsmyflame,

Inbothworldsmydesireisthesame,

WhatIneedisyou,you!

Page 37: An Anthology of Turkish Poetryulsoy/pdf/TurkishPoetry.pdf · Poems by AHMET ARIF INSIDE Have you heard, stone wall? Iron door, blind window, My pillow, my bunk, my chair, My hidden

TurkishPoetry-May15,2019 37

WATERWHEEL

Waterwheelwhydoyoumoan?

Ihavetroubles,soImoan.

IhavecometoloveGod,

ThatiswhyImoan.

Theycallmethetroubledwheel,

Mywatersrushonby.

Godhascommandedthus.

Ihavetroubles,soImoan.

Iamamountaintree.

Neithersweetnotbitter.

ToGodIamgrateful.

Ihavetroubles,soImoan.

Theycutmylogsfromthemountain,

Andupsetmyvariousorders.

Iamatirelessminstrel,

IhavetroublessoImoan.

Idrawmywaterfrombelow,

Turnandpouritfromuphigh.

ComeseewhatImustendure.

Ihavetroubles,soImoan.

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TurkishPoetry-May15,2019 38

YUNUS,theearth-borndonotlaugh,

Apersondoesnotreachhisgoal.

Inthisworldofdeathnooneisleft.

Ihavetroubles,soImoan.

Page 39: An Anthology of Turkish Poetryulsoy/pdf/TurkishPoetry.pdf · Poems by AHMET ARIF INSIDE Have you heard, stone wall? Iron door, blind window, My pillow, my bunk, my chair, My hidden

TurkishPoetry-May15,2019 39

PoembyKAYGUSUZABDAL

Iboughagoosefromawoman

Itsneckislongerthanapipe

Mayfortyidiotsdryupitsblood

ForfortydaysI'veboiledit,itwon'tcook!

Eightofusgatherwood

Nineofusfeedthefire

Thegoosestillliftsit'sheadandlooks

ForfortydaysI'veboiledit,itwon'tcook!

Wepaidafewpenniesforthegoose

Itsmeatistougherthanitsbones

I'veneitherpanleftnorspoon

ForfortydaysI'veboiledit,itwon'tcook!

Thisisn'tagoose,it'samonster

Forfortyyearsit'stravelledonmagicmountain

Andstrengtheneditswingsandtail

ForfortydaysI'veboiledit,itwon'tcook!

Weputthegooseonastove

Anditflewawaysomewhere

Hey,whatisthisHaciAga*

ForfortydaysI'veboiledit,itwon'tcook!

Page 40: An Anthology of Turkish Poetryulsoy/pdf/TurkishPoetry.pdf · Poems by AHMET ARIF INSIDE Have you heard, stone wall? Iron door, blind window, My pillow, my bunk, my chair, My hidden

TurkishPoetry-May15,2019 40

Mygoose'swingsareyellow

It'sbonesareworsethanit'smeat

Don'tsellitingoodhealthwoman

ForfortydaysI'veboiledit,itwon'tcook!

Note:

*HaciAgaliterallymeans"PilgrimLord"andisacommontitleofrespect

Page 41: An Anthology of Turkish Poetryulsoy/pdf/TurkishPoetry.pdf · Poems by AHMET ARIF INSIDE Have you heard, stone wall? Iron door, blind window, My pillow, my bunk, my chair, My hidden

TurkishPoetry-May15,2019 41

PoembyDERTLI

Thisiscalledthestringedsaz

Itobeysneitherscripturenorthejudge.

Ithelpstheplayerunderstandhimself,

Whereisthedevilinthis?

ItsstringcomesfromVenice,

AndthearmfromtheJunipertree.

HeyGod'sstupidcreation,

Whereisthedevilinthis?

Washforprayeranditwon'tsayyoudid,

Ifyouprayitwon'tsayyoudid.

Anditwon'ttakebribeslikethejudgedid,

Whereisthedevilinthis?

Isitinsideoroutside?

Isitinthetuningkeys?

Orisitintheengravings?

Whereisthedevilinthis?

ItsbodyisfromtheMulberrytree,

Andthearmistiedwithhemp.

Hey,youdonkeyofaman!

Whereisthedevilinthis?

Page 42: An Anthology of Turkish Poetryulsoy/pdf/TurkishPoetry.pdf · Poems by AHMET ARIF INSIDE Have you heard, stone wall? Iron door, blind window, My pillow, my bunk, my chair, My hidden

TurkishPoetry-May15,2019 42

LikeDERTLIitwearsnoturban,

Andhasnosandalsonitsfeet.

Ithasnohornsandnotail,

Whereisthedevilinthis?

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TurkishPoetry-May15,2019 43

PoemsbyKARACAOĞLAN

I.

AsCukurova*putsonitsholidayclothes

Asitstripsoffitsnakedness

AsFebruarychasesawaythewinterwinds

Mountains,itwouldbefittingtocallyouheaven

Yourtreesbecomedecoratedwithleaves

Yourstonesbelieveinaunity

Flowersspringupalloveryourchest

Mountains,yourspringsroarandflow

Thewindblowsandyourbranchesstir

Yourbirdssingtoeachother

Thisholidaymakestheruinscold

Mountains,whydoesthehyacinthlooksad?

KARACAOĞLANlooksatyouandrejoices

Asherejoiceshisheartbeginstoburn

Allmytroubleswithinmestirandgrow

Mountains,myjoycollapseswithsorrow.

Note:

*CukurovaisalargevalleyinsouthernTurkey.

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TurkishPoetry-May15,2019 44

II.

Whiteswansmigratefromtheirhomes

Warriorsarerestlessfromtheirwoes

Atmorningprayers,frombehindthemountain

Icountedsixbeautiescametothespring

Threeareofaverageheightandverypretty

Threearequitetallandglancearound

Isaid:whyisawhitegazelleatthelake?

Sixcolorfulquailscametothespring

KARACAOĞLANagainlosthimselfinecstasy

Hewentandwanderedintheseaoflove

Thespringcriedbecausethebeautiesleft

Myheartburnedinsympathyforthespring

III.

Death,don'ttireyourselffollowingme

Goawaydeath,andcomebacklater

Youwilltakemeintheend,youwon'tspareme

Goawaydeath,andcomebacklater

JustasI'meatinganddrinkingforawhile

Eatinganddrinkingandwanderinginthemeadows

Youcomeagain,asI'mrunningfromyou

Goawaydeath,andcomebacklater

Page 45: An Anthology of Turkish Poetryulsoy/pdf/TurkishPoetry.pdf · Poems by AHMET ARIF INSIDE Have you heard, stone wall? Iron door, blind window, My pillow, my bunk, my chair, My hidden

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Ihaven'tbayedlikethegreywolf

Ihaven'tstoodupagainstthedeceitfulworld

Ihaven'tmetallmyfriendsandpeers

Goawaydeath,andcomebacklater

KARACAOĞLANsays,mytroublesgrowworse

Inthegardenthenightingalessing

Enough,justyesterdayyoutookmymotherandfather

Goawaydeath,andcomebacklater

IV.

Ilookedbeyond,butthereisnothing

Goondeceitfulworld,I'mtiredofyou

Ilaboredhard,itallwenttowaste

Thelifeinmycorpse,I'mtiredofyou

Myloadisheavy,itwon'trise

Life'sbowsareofiron,theycan'tbedrawn

Ilookedtheworldoverforacoygirl

Allthegossipintheworld,I'mtiredofyou

Thisheadofmineistroubledandworried

Mybelongingsarepacked,mybrothersremain

Constantlytearsrunfrommyeyes

Don'tcrymyeyes,I'mtiredofyou

Page 46: An Anthology of Turkish Poetryulsoy/pdf/TurkishPoetry.pdf · Poems by AHMET ARIF INSIDE Have you heard, stone wall? Iron door, blind window, My pillow, my bunk, my chair, My hidden

TurkishPoetry-May15,2019 46

KARACAOĞLANsays:whathappenedtous?

Foamingbloodcoversourchests

Myhoursbecomemonths,mydaysbecomeyears

Unpassingblackdays,I'mtiredofyou

V.

IwishIcouldbesmokerisinginthesky

IwishIcouldbeaplantgrowingoutoftheearth

IfonlyIcouldberedpolkadottedcottoncloth

Andmybelovedcouldwrapmearoundher

IwishIcouldbethemarkonherarm

IwishIcouldbethedatesheeats

IfonlyIcouldbecolorfulmascara

Andmybelovedcouldputmeonhereyes

KARACAOĞLAN,ifIcouldbeaservant

IfIcouldbeabeltformybeloved'swaist

IfonlyIcouldbeasilkenmattress

Andmybelovedspreadmebeneathher

VI.

Beauty,howyourbeautyhasgrown

SinceIsawyoulast

Yourblackhairhascurled

…it'sbeensolongsinceitwasbraided

Page 47: An Anthology of Turkish Poetryulsoy/pdf/TurkishPoetry.pdf · Poems by AHMET ARIF INSIDE Have you heard, stone wall? Iron door, blind window, My pillow, my bunk, my chair, My hidden

TurkishPoetry-May15,2019 47

Yourroseinthegardenhasbloomed

Yourmadnightingalehasbeguntosing

Yourbreasthasgrowndirty

…it'sbeensolongsinceitwaslastsuckled

Iwashedmyhandkerchief

Andhungitonarosebranchtodry

Ihaveforgottenwhatmynamewas

…it'sbeensolongsinceIwaslastasked

QuicklyIcaughtupfrombehindyou

Ibentoverandkissedyourface

Iusedtoknowyourname,Iforgot

…it'sbeensolongsinceIlastcalledyou

Mybelovedisangrywithme

Shehasletherhairdowntoherneck

Shehascutoffherlovefromme

…it'sbeensolongsinceshewaslastloved

CallKARACAOĞLANcall

Astonegrowsheavywhereitfalls

Amangrowscoldfromtheoneheloves

Whenit'sbeensolongsincehewaslasthugged

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TurkishPoetry-May15,2019 48

PoembySEYYIDNESIMI*

TodayIwenttomysage

Thesage'sfaceisarose,arose

Hesitsinhisrightfulthrone

Histhroneisarose,arose

Theymakeabalanceofroses

Theyweighroseswithroses

Theybuyroses,sellroses

Themarketplaceisarose,arose

Theearthisarose,thestoneisarose

Thedryisarose,thedampisrose

Inthisveryspecialgarden

Histallfigureisarose,arose

Amillofrosesturnsaround

Andinitrosesareground

Thewaterflows,thewheelturns

Thedam,thespringisarose,arose

Awhiteroseandaredrose

Thepairgrewinagarden

Theyglanceateachother

Thethornisarose,theflowerarose

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TurkishPoetry-May15,2019 49

Come,comeSeyyidNesimi

AsongofGodisarose,arose

Thisstrangenightingalethatsings

Hisgriefandcriesareforarose,arose

Note:

*SeyyidNesimiwasamysticwhobelievedinpantheism.HebelongedtotheBektaşiorder(oneofthelargestSufimysticalorders)andhewasanapprenticetothesagehementionsinthispoem.

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TurkishPoetry-May15,2019 50

Poems/SongsbyPIRSULTANABDAL

BePleasanttoYourOx

Hebringsstronglogsfromthemountains

Hebringsthemandthefireburnsthem

Everyhome'sgoverningrestsontheox

Farmers,bepleasanttoyourox

Makealowroofovertheox'shead

Don'tleavehimwet,putdryhay'neathhim

Aftereveryplowingkisshiseyes

Farmers,bepleasanttoyourox

Lord,Lord(Hudey,Hudey)*

IfIwereanightingale,ifIflightedandperched

TostandinthecourtofGod

IfIwerearosyredapple

IfIsproutedonyourbranch,whatwouldyousay?

Lord,lord;Lord,lord…

Ifyouwerearosyredapple

Ifyoucametosproutonmybranch

IfIwereasilvercladcrookedstaff

IfIweretolandablow,whatwouldyousay?

Lord,lord;Lord,lord…

Ifyouwereaslivercladcrookedstaff

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Ifyoucametolandablow

IfIwereahandfulofmillet

IfIwasscatteredontheground,whatwouldyousay?

Lord,lord;Lord,lord…

Ifyouwereahandfulofmillet

Ifyoucametobescatteredontheground

IfIwereabeautifulgreypartridge

IfIgatherupeverygrain,whatwouldyousay?

Lord,lord;Lord,lord…

Ifyouwereabeautifulgreypartridge

Ifyoucametogatherupeverygrain

IfIwereayounghawk

IfIseizedyouandflewoff,whatwouldyousay?

Lord,lord;Lord,lord…

Ifyouwereayounghawk

Ifyoucametoseizemeandflyoff

IfIwereasquallofsleet

IfIbrokeyourwing,whatwouldyousay?

Lord,lord;Lord,lord…

Ifyouwereasquallofsleet

Ifyoucametobreakmywing

IfIwereawildnor’easter

IfIgustanddisperse,whatwouldyousay?

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TurkishPoetry-May15,2019 52

Lord,lord;Lord,lord…

Ifyouareawildnor’easter

Ifyoucametogustanddisperse

IfIhadagreatsickness

IfIliebeforeyou,whatwouldyousay?

Lord,lord;Lord,lord…

Ifyouhadagreatsickness

Ifyoucametoliebeforeme

IfIweretheAngelofDeath

IfItookyoursoul,whatwouldyousay?

Lord,lord;Lord,lord…

IfyouweretheAngelofDeath

Ifyoucametotakemysoul

IfIwereasubjectdestinedforheaven

IfIascendedtoheaven,whatwouldyousay?

Lord,lord;Lord,lord…

Ifyouwereasubjectdestinedforheaven

Ifyouascendedtoheaven

IfyoufoundyourmasterPIRSULTAN

Ifweascendedtogether,whatwouldyousay?

Lord,lord;Lord,lord….

Note:*Thisisasongofduelingminstrels,aboyandagirl,whohandoffthestringedinstrument(saz)toeachotherforeachalternatingverse

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TurkishPoetry-May15,2019 53

PoembyEMRAH

InthemornIcalledatasapling,

Isaidareyousleepy?ShesaidNo,No!

Herwhitedimpledhandswerepaintedwithhenna1,

Isaidisitaholiday?ShesaidNo,No!

Isaidwhatisapearl?Shesaidmyteeth;

Isaidwhatisapencil?Shesaidmyeyebrow.

Isaidwhatisfifteen?Shesaidmyage;

Isaidistheremore?ShesaidNo,No!

IsaidwhatisErzurum2?Shesaidmyhomeland,

Isaidwillyoucome?Shesaiditismyroad.

IsaidwhoisEMRAH?Shesaidmyslave,

Isaidwillyousellhim?ShesaidNo,No!

Notes:

1. ItisacustominruralTurkeyforwomentopainttheirhandswithhennaatweddingsandotherspecialoccasions.

2. Erzurumisthenameofaprovince,anditscapitalcity,innortheasternTurkey.

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TurkishPoetry-May15,2019 54

PoembyBURSALIHALİL

Roadsthatwindandstraighten

Aretheylonelylikeme?

Floodsthatflowwitharoar

Aretheylonelylikeme?

Inthedayandinthenight

Weareenchantedbyit

Thestarupinthesky

Isitlonelylikeme?

Bloodytearsflowfrommyeyes

Andembroidermyheart'swounds

Birdsthatleavethenest

Aretheylonelylikeme?

Floodsthatflowwitharoar

Windsthatblowatsunset

Serfsthatleavetheirlord

Aretheylonelylikeme?

HALILsays:twogoals

Stirintheheart

Thoseseparatedfromtheirbeloved

Aretheylonelylikeme?

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TurkishPoetry-May15,2019 55

PoembyGEVHERI

Hazeleyedshybeauty

Ifearforyoufromblood

Notonlyfromblood,heybeauty

Ifearforyoufromlife!

Don'tlookaboutyoulikethat

Don'tputmyjealousytoatest

Don'tputyourhandonyourbreast

Ifearforyoufromyou!

GEVHERIsays,Iamagoodman

Mytroubleswillnotleavemyheart

Iamwolf,youarealamb

Ifearforyoufromme!

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TurkishPoetry-May15,2019 56

PoembyAŞIKCEVDET

It'slikeacloud,it'slikeabird

Likeafantasyoradream

Itsketchesanoceanbeforemyeyes

Thiswaveofcigarettesmoke

Longing,domesticproblems,loveproblems

ThegenerousLordhasgivenmeeveryproblem

IttellseveryoneIamtroubled

Thiswaveofcigarettesmoke

Mywholevillageappearssmoky

Mycoymistressisgoingtofetchwater

Itmakesmylittleheartachewithlonging

Thisringofcigarettesmoke

MaytheLordletmeseemybeloved

Thisyearwe'llgotothehighlands

Likeastrangetravelleritleavesit'shome

Thisstumblingcigarettesmoke

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TurkishPoetry-May15,2019 57

Poem/SongbyAŞIKVEYSEL

THEBLACKSOIL

Iturnedtomanyasafriend

Myloyalbelovedistheblacksoil

Itraveledandgrewwearyfornoend

Myloyalbellowedistheblacksoil

Ibecameattachedtomanyabeauty

Iwasneverrewardedwithloyalty

Igotmyeverywishfromthesoil

Myloyalbelovedistheblacksoil

Itgavemesheep,lambsandmilk

Itgavemefood,breadandmeat

GavelittlewhenIdidn'tbeatitwithapick

Myloyalbelovedistheblacksoil

IthasfedmyancestorssinceAdam

Ithasgivenmeavarietyoffruit

Ithascarriedmeonitsbackeveryday

Myloyalbelovedistheblacksoil

Isplititsstomachwithpicksandhoes

Itoreitsfacewithmynailsandhands

Itstillgreetedmewitharose

Myloyalbelovedistheblacksoil

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TurkishPoetry-May15,2019 58

ItlaughedatmeasItorturedit

Thisisnolie,everyonesawit

Igaveitaseed,itgavemefourgardens

Myloyalbelovedistheblacksoil

IfIlooktotheskyIgetair

IfIlooktothesoil,Igetaprayer

IfIleavethesoil,Ihavenolair

Myloyalbelovedistheblacksoil

AskGodifyouhaveawish

Butstaynearthesoiltoreceiveit

GenerositywasgiftedthesoilbytheLord

Myloyalbelovedistheblacksoil

Ifyouseekthetruth,hereisafact

Godisclosetoman,andmantoGod

God'shiddentreasureisintheearth

Myloyalbelovedistheblacksoil

Thesoilcoversupallourfaults

Itprovidesmedicinetohealourwounds

Withopenarmsitstandsinmypath

Myloyalbelovedistheblacksoil

Whoeverrealizesthissecret

Page 59: An Anthology of Turkish Poetryulsoy/pdf/TurkishPoetry.pdf · Poems by AHMET ARIF INSIDE Have you heard, stone wall? Iron door, blind window, My pillow, my bunk, my chair, My hidden

TurkishPoetry-May15,2019 59

Leavestheworldanimmortalact

OnedayitwilltakeVEYSELintoitsbosom

Myloyalbelovedistheblacksoil

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TurkishPoetry-May15,2019 60

SelectedTurkishFolkSongs

GoldenGirl(AltınHızma,Mülayim)

Goldengirl,gentlesoul,

IaskyourhandfromtheLord.

InJulyonasummerday,

Youperspire,Iwipeaway.

I'vehadmyday,manyajoyouskiss,

YetIseeyourfaceanditisbliss

Goldengirl,sheismypearl,

Herredblouseisunfurled.

Ifindmyselftongue-tied,

WhateverIaskisdenied.

I'vehadmyday,manyajoyouskiss,

YetIseeyourfaceanditisbliss

Goldengirl,herlipsarered,

Matchingtherosycheeksonherhead.

Comelet’sseeeachothermydear,

IsoonwillbefarawayIfear.

I'vehadmyday,manyajoyouskiss,

YetIseeyourfaceanditisbliss

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TurkishPoetry-May15,2019 61

I’llbethereassoonastheHoopoessing(İbibiklerÖterÖtemezOrdayım)

Black-eyedbeautydon’tbesad…justsmile

I’llbethereassoonastheHoopoessing

Yousayinyourletter:comenow

Whenthemilkturnstocream,I’llbethere

Eventhemountainsandrocksareinlonging

Myheartinmychesthasnopatience

Nightisfallingbeyondthemountains

Whenthesunisset,I’llbethere

Springishere,thesheepandlambsareplaying

Twolovershavenowwaitedfouryears

Myblack-eyedtimeforweddingaffairsisneigh

Whenmynationaldebtispaid,I’llbethere

WhatDotheFatesWantFromMe?(BilmemŞuFeleğinBendeNesiVar)

WhatdotheFateswantfromme?

EverywhereIgotheydemandalover

AsifIhadagardenwithpurplehyacinth

InthemonthofJanuary,mydear,theydemandarose

Iwastiredandsatbytheroadside

Hopingbeautieswouldgather‘round

IbroughtadeclarationfromtheSultan

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TurkishPoetry-May15,2019 62

Thateveryone,mydear,beunitedwiththeirtruelove

Olivetreesinthefrontyards

Haveshedtheirleaves,leavingbarebranches

Ifyourheartisnotforme

CallmebrotherandI’llcallyousister