Cemal Sureya (1931-1990)

He received his undergraduate degree in political science and worked as a superintendent of finance. After positions in different banks, he also worked as a free-lance writer and translator. He published his works in several journals, including Milliyet Sanat, Aydınlık, Somut, and Papirüs. The most outstanding characteristics of his poetry are an effective use of irony and an outspoken eroticism. Although in his earlier poems he had utilized a rather mechanical language, he leaned toward a more lyrical language in his later works. POETRY: Üvercinka (1958), Göçebe (1965), Beni Öp Sonra Doğur Beni (1973), Uçurumda Açan (1984, new poems along with previously published works), Sevda Sözleri (1984, collected poems), Sıcak Nal (1988), Güz Bitiği (1988). OTHER WORKS: Şapkam Dolu Çiçekle (1976, essays), Günübirlik99 Yüz (1989, a portrayal of famous people), Folklor Şiire Düşman (1992, collection of essays). ANTHOLOGIES: Mülkiyeli Şairler (1966), Yüz Aşk Şiiri (1967). TRANSLATIONS: Toplum Bilimin Tarihi (1971). (1982, essays),

KISS ME THEN GIVE BIRTH TO ME

Now

it is shame that becomes the grains

in the blond children's ears of corn.

From the meadow

a blindfolded lilac smell from the meadow

spins around that tiny sun of ours.

Overflowing from houses and terraces

it comes and settles in my voice.

My voice's bending hemlock

my voice's motley hemlock.

And towards the birds

the ivory: the wind's stance.

Mountain: the sun's skeleton.

Among wooden statues

The sea's baby is huge.

I see blood I see rock

among all the statues

the nightmare warm and greenhorn

—insomnia's milky fig—

does not penetrate the beehives.

My mother died when I was very young

kiss me, then give birth to me.

 

Translated by Talât Sait Halman

 

ROSE

Seated at the core of the rose I weep

As I die in the street each night

Ahead and beyond all unmindful

Pang upon pang of dark diminution

Of eyes upheld blissful with life

 

Your hands are in my caress into dusk

Hands forever white forever white

Cast into my soul icicles of fright

A train a while at the station

A man who lost the station me

 

On my face I rub the rose

Fallen forlorn over the pavement

And cut my body limb by limb

Bloodgush doomsday madmusic

On the horn a gypsy is reborn

 

Translated by Talât Sait Halman

 

[From An Anthology of Turkish literature, Edited by Kemal Silay]