THE WALNUT TREE

My head is a foaming cloud, inside and outside I’m the sea.
I am a walnut tree in Gülhane park in Istanbul,
an old walnut tree with knots and scars.
You don’t know this and the police don’t either.

I am a walnut tree in Gülhane Park,
My leaves sparkle like fish in water,
my leaves flutter like silk handkerchiefs.
Break one off, my darling, and wipe your tears.
My leaves are my eyes, and I am shocked at what I see.

I look at you, Istanbul, with a hundred thousand eyes
and my leaves beat, beat with a hundred thousand heards.
I am a walnut tree in Gülhane Park.
You don’t know this and the police don’t either.

(July 1, 1957)

NAZIM HÝKMET-1901-1963