refik durbas

COMPASS
I am past the age mother died 
though the loyalty of waters and pain 
--and sure enough the sky 
are my children

I am at the age father died 
though nostalgia, longing 
--and sure enough loneliness 
are my friends

Let the winds write my love

But my heart is still 
at the age my son fell in love 
--Though love's compass 
has sure enough turned into memories

Two pigeons, oh my life 
perched on the shoulders of the years 
one life, the other death 
sure enough is what I've lived

One is Refik, the other Durbas in fact

Translated by Suat Karantay




APPRENTlCE WANTED
My hands have a gift for art master 
My language for cursing, my heart for pain 
Is death all I get 
All I get master?

Which way is love master 
Which way is grief 
Is solitude all I get 
All I get master!

Which way is away master 
Which way is home 
Is longing all I get 
All I get master

Translated by Sehnaz Tahir

ANA SAYFAYA - BACK

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