they always smile
when I buy a ticket
to a show there
last time Hamlet
today ballet
figuring this
couldn’t be in Turkish
dance is
after all
a language of its own
so is a smile
to brighten this day
on a non-Thanksgiving
in Istanbul
Istanbul
From Another Hill by Yahya Kemal Beyatlı
I look at you from another hill, dear Istanbul!
I know you like back of my hand, and love you dearly.
Come, come sit on my heart’s throne as long as I live
Just to love a district of yours is worth a whole life.
There are many flourishing cities in the world.
But you’re the only one who creates enchanting beauty.
I say, he who has lived happily, in the longest dream,
Is he who spent his life in you, died in you, and was buried in you.
translated on the site All Poetry
morning in Moda this day in February
bacon eggs
a piece of toast
peel an orange
pour Baileys
in coffee
watch a cat
gingerly climb
the tree outside
and wait
for that moment
when peace descends
night to morning, Maltepe
there are horns
tires screeching
a shout or two
dogs barking
a rooster crows
somewhere
toward morning
then light
fills the sky
life as they say goes on
from my balcony
I watch the set-up
of tables
in the open market
a block away
a Monday ritual
here in Maltepe
and soon
I’ll have coffee
with a new friend
watch his son
practice his skills
in football camp
and as the sun
heats up the day
whatever state of emergency
exists here
does not impact
on daily rituals
in neighborhoods
all over this city
this country
life
as they say
goes on
6am, Thursday morning, Maltepe, Istanbul
I stand eating
corn on the cob
on my balcony
at six
in the morning
gazing at the Princes’ Islands
basking in the sun
listening to gulls
flying overhead
feeling peace
descend
on my world
Monday morning, open market, Maltepe; Istanbul
stalls spread out
for blocks
under canvas canopies
cherries apricots grapes
artichokes broccoli corn
men women pulling carts
a leisurely stroll
amid produce of the day
olives cheese nuts
shoes shirts pots pans
life going on
with food to buy
for dinner tonight tomorrow
this is the Turkey
I know I love
aware of unseen danger
but alive anyway
Iftar:Thursday, June 16, Maltepe
the area lit
food on tables
music speeches
partake partake
break fast
as a community
shake the dust
from the boots
the eyes
the heart
home again
tears in my eyes: for Istanbul
I sit here
in New York
5000 miles away
with tears
in my eyes
mourning
the lives lost
where my heart
lies