LETTERS TO OKTAY

I.
			               Ankara, 12/8/37
			               9 P.M.
This terrible winter
I'm writing my first letter
In a Hungarian restaurant;
My dear Oktay
Tonight all the drunks
Send their greetings.

II.
			               Ankara, 12/10/37
			               2:30 P.M.
It is raining outside at this moment,
Clouds are drifting in the mirror;
These days
Melih and I are in love with the same girl.

III.
			               Ankara, 1/1/38
			               10 A.M.
Short of money
I'm looking for a job.
Nothing doing.
If I weren't in love,
Maybe I wouldn't wait
For the day I'll die for mankind.




Orhan Veli
Translated by Murat Nemet-Nejat, 1989