ISTANBUL POEMS


Istanbul is the name of a magic wand that alters one's imagination and life; and Istanbul the very name, invokes beautiful memories. Countless hearts have fallen in love with her over the years. She is an undying and unaging lover; torments and love is the other name of Istanbul. Her history is as old as the history of mankind: to some she was born in 3000 BC, but whatever her age is,it does not concern poets or her admirers. She's always young, beautiful and alluring.

Sultan Osman the First's prayer was answered by his Lord, and Constantinople fell too Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror. Sultan Osman wished to turn Istanbul "into a rose-garden". And his wish was regarded as a command and all his successors tried to conquer Istanbul. but Istanbul was conquered by Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror - kismet was his. Perhaps that's why he was always portrayed by the painters with a rose in his hand.

There's no doubt that Istanbul is one of the most famous cities of the world. Istanhul is better known than even Turkey itself. It's not difficult to understand why the poets of the past saw that Istanbul as more precious than diamonds and the lands of the East.

Recently we have witnessed a cosmopolitan city, Sarajevo in death throes. Other western mega-cities are also dying a slow death of racism, poverty and unemployment. Istanbul, the rose-garden, has her share of social and economic chaos and industrialisation of the country.

When the city fell to the Ottomans serenity was restored to the city. Minarets became the landmark; Mosques and Churches co-existed peacefully. That's a rare occasion to witness in the West despite the West's secular, liberal and democratic outlook.

Istanbul still is "a rose beautified by the Conqueror".

Şenol DEMİRÖZ
İSTANBUL, DECEMBER 96