The Seventh Step by Perihan Mağden

I’m a black forgotten bag at the station
I’m tears but no one sees
I spit daylight into night
Istanbul nights stink of men

In the sky, blue mounts its greatest fight
Night presses against the sea, raping it
How your hands twist my heart
I close my windows but it’s useless

I’m the ten thousand children sworn to night
I’m the wild apricot twig robbed of hope
On the sixth step I hold you tight
On the seventh, we part

translated by George Messo