Well, I know that I´m definitely not qualified to take part in your discussion about English language, but just wanted to mention that Bernard Lewis DID say "village" and DID put a "where" in his translation of this poem.

Dear Yilgun, I really appreciate your wish to introduce non-Turkish members to some classic of Turkish poetry  , but in my opinion, it is better to not translate poetry at all than to post such kind of translations.

I suggest you to better keep on posting your fathers poetry translated by Ayla, instead of posting poetry of Turkish classic poets translated by Google

These are some of Erzurum attractions:

The modern city, with wide tree lined boulevards and university buildings, is intertwined with the historical district. The Seljuk buildings in the town are remarkable. The Ulu (Grand) Mosque built in 1179 is interesting, with its many columns and seven wide naves. Next door to Ulu Mosque is the Cifte Minareli (Double Minaret) Medrese (theological school), which is the most famous feature of the city. It is a perfect example of Seljuk architecture, the carved portal being particularly fine.

Walking south you will see the Three Tombs (Üç Kümbetler). Another interesting tomb is the elegant 13th century Hatuniye Tomb. The Yakutiye Medrese of the 13th century is one of the most important historical monuments of Erzurum with its beautiful portal and richly tiled minaret. Here is an elaborate mosque built by the great architect Sinan in the 16th century, the Lala Mustafa Pasa Mosque. The Aziziye monument commemorating the Turkish - Russian War, the citadel and Bell Tower, the Rüstem Pasa Caravanserai and the Bedesten are other historical places of interest.

For nature lovers, Lake Tortum, 120 kilometers from Erzurum, and Mount Palandöken provide perfect opportunities. Palandöken winter sports and skiing resort which is reached by mountain roads of scenic beauty, is only 6 kilometers from Erzurum. This winter sports spot is competitive with those of Europe. By Lake Tortum you will encounter a rarely found beauty of a peaceful lake. The waterfalls at the northern end of the lake are worth seeing as they plunge from a height of 47 m (150 ft)

Quoted from All About Turkey

Oviously, there is something to see, from historical sights and buildings to natural beauties. And spending winter vacation skiing at Palandoken sounds as a good idea.

He was great singer and great song writer too. There is a very touching song of him which seemed to be a kind of prediction...

HOŞÇAKAL

İşte gidiyorum, birşey demeden
Arkamı dönmeden, şikayet etmeden
Hiçbirşey almadan, birşey vermeden
Yol ayrılmış, görmeden ...
Gidiyorum

Ne küslük var, ne pişmanlık kalbimde
Yürüyorum sanki senin yanında
Sesin uzaklaşır herbir adımda
Ayak izim kalmadan ...
Gidiyorum

Gerdiğin tel kalbimde kırılmadı
Gönül kuşu şarkıdan yorulmadı
Bana kimse sen gibi sarılmadı
Işığımız sönmeden ...
Gidiyorum

KAZIM KOYUNCU


FAREWELL

Here I´m going, without saying anything
Without turning back, without complaining
Without taking anything, without giving anything
The road diverged, without my awareness...
I´m going

There´s neither anger nor regret in my heart
As if I´m walking by your side
Your voice is fading away with each step
Without leaving footsteps
I´m going

The string you tuned has never been broken in my heart
The heart bird hasn´t become tired of singing
No one has embraced me like you did
Before our light goes out...
I´m going

(Translated by Ayla)

I didn´t think anyone was having a go at me, it´s ok 

I just wanted to say that, if my English was better and if I was able to get into all its finesses, I could probably find a better translation.

As for example, there is one translation with " It rained incessantly . . ." included:

Remember Barbara
It rained incessantly on Brest that day
And you walked smiling
É panou delighted streaming
In the rain
Remember Barbara
It rained incessantly on Brest
And I´ve cross street of Siam
You smiled
And I just smiled
Remember Barbara
You I do not know
You who do not know me
Remember
Remember when this same day
Remember
A man was hiding under a porch
And he shouted your name
Barbara
And you ran into him in the rain
Dripping delighted blooming
And you threw yourself into his arms
Remember that Barbara
And do not blame me if I´m familiar terms
I tell you to everyone I love
Even if I saw them only once
I tell you all those who love
Even if I do not know
Remember Barbara
Remember
This rain wise and happy
On your happy face
On this happy city
The rain on the sea
On the arsenal
On the boat Ouessant
Oh Barbara
What bullshit war
What are you now become
Under this rain of iron
Fire Steel Blood
And whoever you hugged
Lovingly
Is he dead or disappeared alive
Oh Barbara
It rains incessantly Brest
As it rained before
But this is no longer the same and everything is damaged
It is a terrible rain of mourning and desolate
This is not even a storm
Iron Steel Blood
Just clouds
Who die like dogs
Dogs that disappear
Over water on Brest
And will rot away
In the distance far from Brest
Which nothing remains.

 Unfortunarely, I couldn´t find the name of the translator...

Sorry, I don´t speak French, and English is not my native language too Maybe this translation will fit better?

Remember Barbara

It rained all day on Brest that day

And you walked smiling

Flushed enraptured streaming-wet

In the rain

Remember Barbara

It rained all day on Brest that day

And I ran into you in Siam Street

You were smiling

And I smiled too

Remember Barbara

You whom I didn´t know

You who didn´t know me

Remember

Remember that day still

Don´t forget

A man was taking cover on a porch

And he cried your name

Barbara

And you ran to him in the rain

Streaming-wet enraptured flushed

And you threw yourself in his arms

Remember that Barbara

And don´t be mad if I speak familiarly

I speak familiarly to everyone I love

Even if I´ve seen them only once

I speak familiarly to all who are in love

Even if I don´t know them

Remember Barbara

Don´t forget

That good and happy rain

On your happy face

On that happy town

That rain upon the sea

Upon the arsenal

Upon the Ushant boat

Oh Barbara

What shitstupidity the war

Now what´s become of you

Under this iron rain

Of fire and steel and blood

And he who held you in his arms

Amorously

Is he dead and gone or still so much alive

Oh Barbara

It´s rained all day on Brest today

As it was raining before

But it isn´t the same anymore

And everything is wrecked

It´s a rain of mourning terrible and desolate

Nor is it still a storm

Of iron and steel and blood

But simply clouds

That die like dogs

Dogs that disappear

In the downpour drowning Brest

And float away to rot

A long way off

A long long way from Brest

Of which there´s nothing left.

Translation:  Lawrence Ferlinghetti

I wish if I never read this thread, but since I´ve read it, I would like to know what finally happened. Did someone open the shop and saved poor animals? Will this cruel owner be punished for what he did?

For "the few", for educational purposes...

BARBARA

Translation source

(In this poem, Prevert magnifies the 1940-1944 tragedy in Brest, French city, totaly ruined in heavily bombing during the war. After the war, the poet remembers a woman he cought a glimpse of under the rain in Rue de Siam before the war. The only thing he knows about her is her name and he wonders, under the rain in the ruins of Brest, what might have happened to her.)

As a big poetry lover (and one of the "few who are interested in Turkish poetry or poetry in general"), I always appreciate alternative translations from languages I don´t understand. Translation can never displace the original, but reading and comparing several different translations, you can better understand poet´s idea, feel the spirit of the poem. Otherwise, if the point is to only get information of "what is about a certain poem", Google Translate would be perfect.

So, please calm down. Instead of debating, please, whatever your motives were, keep on translating. I personally wouldn´t mind if every try of translation would be followed with several more tries. Because people who are truly interested in poetry don´t have to vote, or declare one translation better than another – more translations just help them to get closer to original poem.

For other "few" poetry lovers, I´ve just added alternative translations (both Turkish and English) of my favorrite French poem here.