reaching for the future

well
I tried
the lady
and the tiger
survived both
more or less
intact
so now
I’m eyeing
door number 3
and thinking
whatever I’ve got
to lose
I’ve already lost
and with that thought
firmly implanted
in what’s left
of this brain
I stride forward
hand outstretched
reaching for the future
door number 3

 

what you stand upon

it’s the ankles
really
slender shapely
connecting those lovely feet
to those long legs
not to mention
the knees
friends say
I’m a leg man
who am I
to deny
what history has
proved to be true
in your case
naturally
a reaffirmation
of my predilection
for ankles
and knees
and all they connect
to what you stand upon
smiling at me

 

 

 

poem by Cemal Süreya

If the ones who will see us together tomorrow,
Ask you “who was the one you were together with yesterday?”
Don’t tell them about me in detail,
Briefly say “the one who is the rest of my life…”

translated by Nejla Karabulut