ON MUSTARD

I was so stupid.
For years
I didn't understand
The place
Of mustard
In society;
``One can't
Live 
Without mustard.''

Abidin was saying
The same thing
The other day
To those
Who understood
Deeper things.

I know it isn't necessary,
But may God deprive no one
Of mustard.




Orhan Veli
Translated by Murat Nemet-Nejat, 1989