On Mustard by Orhan Veli Kanık

I was so stupid.
For years
I didn’t understand
The place
Of mustard
In society.
“One can’t
Live
Without mustard.”

Abidin was saying
The same thing
The other day
To those
Who understood
Deeper things.

I know it isn’t necessary,
But may God deprive no one
Of mustard.

translated by Murat Nemet-Nejat