SONG
   
    Your lips are red
    Your hands are white
    Take my hands, child,
    Hold them a while.
   
    In the village where I was born
    There were no walnut trees
    That's why I yearn for coolness
    Fondle me a while.
   
    In the village where I was born
    There were no cornfields
    So scatter your hair child
    Flaunt it a while.
   
    In the village where I was born
    The north winds blew
    That's why my lips are cracked
    Kiss them a while
   
    In the village where I was born
    Bandits struck by night
    That's why I hate to be alone
    Speak with me a while
   
    In the village where I was born
    Men did not know how to laugh
    That's why I'm still so unhappy
    Make me laugh a while
   
    You are light and beauty, like my country
    The village  where I was born was beautiful too
    Now tell me of the place where you were born
    Tell me a while.
   
    Cahit Kulebi
    Translated by Bernard Lewis (1982)