The Walnut Tree
    
    my head foaming clouds, sea inside me and out
    I am a walnut tree in Gulhane Park
    an old walnut, knot by knot, shred by shred
    Neither you are aware of this, nor the police
    
    I am a walnut tree in Gulhane Park
    My leaves are nimble, nimble like fish in water
    My leaves are sheer, sheer like a silk handkerchief
    pick, wipe, my rose, the tear from your eyes
    My leaves are my hands, I have one hundred thousand
    I touch you with one hundred thousand hands, I touch Istanbul
    My leaves are my eyes, I look in amazement
    I watch you with one hundred thousand eyes, I watch Istanbul
    Like one hundred thousand hearts, beat, beat my leaves
    
    I am a walnut tree in Gulhane Park
    neither you are aware of this, nor the police
    
    
    Nazim Hikmet
    
    translated from Turkish by Gun Gencer