I am listening to Istanbul with my eyes closed
First a breeze is blowing
And leaves swaying
Slowly on the trees;
Far far away the bells of the
Water carriers ringing,
I am listening to Istanbul with my eyes closed.
I am listening to Istanbul with my eyes closed
A bird is passing by,
Birds are passing by, screaming, screaming,
Fish nets being withdrawn in fishing weirs,
A woman’s toe dabbling in water,
I am listening to Istanbul with my eyes closed.
I am listening,
The cool Grand Bazaar,
Mahmutpasha twittering
Full of pigeons,
Its vast courtyard,
Sounds of hammering from the docks,
In the summer breeze far, far away the odor of sweat,
I am listening.
I am listening to Istanbul with my eyes closed
The drunkenness of old times
In the wooden seaside villa with its deserted boat house
The roaring southwestern wind is trapped,
My thoughts are trapped
Listening to Istanbul with my eyes closed.
I am listening to Istanbul with my eyes closed
A coquette is passing by on the sidewalk,
Curses, sings, sings, passes;
Something is falling from your hand
To the ground,
It must be a rose.
I am listening to Istanbul with my eyes closed.
I am listening to Istanbul with my eyes closed
A bird is flying round your skirt;
I know if your forehead is hot or cold
Or your lips are wet or dry;
Or if a white moon is rising above the pistachio tree
My heart’s fluttering tells me. . .
I am listening to Istanbul with my eyes closed.
translated by Murat Nemet-Nejat
Leonard Durso 
So so beautiful…Imagine listening to a city with eyes closed, allowing your mind to listen to the sounds, remember the smells and see the visuals in your mind’s eye. Thank you for sharing.
I’m glad you liked it. It is a great way to know a city.
Brilliant. I really enjoyed Istanbul. What a beautiful poem.
Thanks for sharing.
😀
Yes, Istanbul is special and this poem captures it. I’m glad you appreciate it as well as the city.
What a gorgeous poem–and a great way to be introduced to the work of a poet. Thanks for sharing it, L. That’s one to come back to, and come back to.
Thanks, Jeff. I have to admit that the poem had me ready to fall in love with the city even before I first came. And my love of the city grows as I add my own sights, smells, sounds to it.
I have never been to Istanbul – the words colour it so nicely – and yes, only with our eyes closed we can feel the places we really love …
Glad you got a taste of this city. I am certainly get a feel for Braga
Absolutely feel like Im there. Lovely!
Thank you. Glad you like the feeling.
Wow! Those are beautiful words. 🙂
Yes, he was a wonderful poet.
This poem brings back nostalgic memories of the month we were there some years ago…
I’m happy to hear that.
So evocative–gorgeous. Thanks for sharing it.
I’m glad you liked it.
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Thanks for sharing this.