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A woman I do not know other than from reading her posts as the friend of friends, asked that we tell her something beautiful. Such a simple request, really. It made me feel small and petty--guilty of forgetting the one thing I have always been certain of...life is beautiful, and terrible sometimes, but always beautiful. So, thank you, Velma, for the gentle reminder of how profoundly graceful people can be in the worst of circumstances.
Paint
Said Elmessiry
AN APOCALYPTIC CHAIN OF MELODY
In my destiny I am an unimaginably huge wound
my face sucks in blood as I wipe it with my handkerchief
as my voice scatters in the wind like that of the fall
my letters intermingle with the pollen
Letters are the alchemy of defying the world
to songs left unfinished
they are like an ever-changing malignance
they are that stagnant water which churns
in my oversized universe that won't fit into books:
like a lilac stain they seem to leave a trace in the night
So, with a new cause is the dawn breaking
filled with the cries of leaves gone berserk
and as I thus keep pouring my venom on my wound
the sentences turn into an apocalyptic chain of melody
let the sun fall on my forehead, my sweat turn cold
at this most challenging point of my epileptic anguish
No, my love, I will not spell out this song for you
with its aroma discarded, metamorphosed in riots
I have long since stamped my seal
Put down my clumsy signature
On the most challenging part of life
And at every sunrise I have brushed my teeth
Pressing life hard onto my flesh
Come on, pick up that comb that adores poems
and start the day combing your hair.
Translated by Suat Karantay
Metin Cengiz (b. 1954) is a poet. He has translated poetry by Neruda, Laforgue, Guillevic, Prévert and Cesaire. He also works as editor for various publishing houses. Poetry collections: Bir Tufan Sonrasý (The Aftermath of a Flood/1998) Büyük Seviþme (The Great Lovemaking/1989), Zehirinde Açan Zambak (The Lily Opening in Its Own Poison/1991), Ýpek'A (Silk'A/1993).
AN APOCALYPTIC CHAIN OF MELODY
In my destiny I am an unimaginably huge wound
my face sucks in blood as I wipe it with my handkerchief
as my voice scatters in the wind like that of the fall
my letters intermingle with the pollen
Letters are the alchemy of defying the world
to songs left unfinished
they are like an ever-changing malignance
they are that stagnant water which churns
in my oversized universe that won't fit into books:
like a lilac stain they seem to leave a trace in the night
So, with a new cause is the dawn breaking
filled with the cries of leaves gone berserk
and as I thus keep pouring my venom on my wound
the sentences turn into an apocalyptic chain of melody
let the sun fall on my forehead, my sweat turn cold
at this most challenging point of my epileptic anguish
No, my love, I will not spell out this song for you
with its aroma discarded, metamorphosed in riots
I have long since stamped my seal
Put down my clumsy signature
On the most challenging part of life
And at every sunrise I have brushed my teeth
Pressing life hard onto my flesh
Come on, pick up that comb that adores poems
and start the day combing your hair.
Translated by Suat Karantay
Metin Cengiz (b. 1954) is a poet. He has translated poetry by Neruda, Laforgue, Guillevic, Prévert and Cesaire. He also works as editor for various publishing houses. Poetry collections: Bir Tufan Sonrasý (The Aftermath of a Flood/1998) Büyük Seviþme (The Great Lovemaking/1989), Zehirinde Açan Zambak (The Lily Opening in Its Own Poison/1991), Ýpek'A (Silk'A/1993).