Orhan Veli Kanik (1914-1950)

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THE TAVERN

I don't love her anymore
So
Why should I walk
Nights
By the tavern
Where I drank
Every night
Thinking of her?

               (translated by Murat Nemet-Nejat)

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SPREAD OUT

She's spread out;
Her skirt pulled up slightly;
She's lifted her arm, one can see her armpits;
And with one hand she's holding her breast;
I know, she thinks nothing
Evil by it,
I know;
Neither do I;
But how can a person,
A person lie like this?

               (translated by Murat Nemet-Nejat)

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SUNDAY EVENINGS

I don't look like much today;
When I pay my debts,
Possibly I'll own a bunch of new suits;
Possibly you still won't love me.

But, on Sunday evenings,
When I go by your neighborhood,
Dressed to kill,
Do you think I'll cherish you
As much as I do today?

               (translated by Murat Nemet-Nejat)

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PRO PATRIA

What have we not done
For our mother-
Land;
Some of us died;
Some gave speeches.

               (translated by Murat Nemet-Nejat)

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Revised: March 24, 1996