Nazim Hikmet (b. 15 Jan 1902 — d. 3 Jun 1963) was a Turkish poet, scriptwriter, director and memoirist and his statement which always appeared in lyrical flow gained popularity in 20th century. Most of his work translated into English by Randy Blasing and Mutlu Konuk. His writing most of the time deeply concerned about the view of social and political and few of his verses find woman as an obstacle in career of men. Hikmet also acknowledged publicly that he shouldn’t have been married.
Some of his poetry stands out in differentiation of love, which has two repelling sides. He Always appreciated for rhythmic flow of his statements.
In 1930, his definition of realism proved one of the best as following,
“The misery of mankind cannot be seen personal tragedies of the individual. We, writers have to deal with this in particular. Moreover, a person who live through no personal tragedies, who does not suffer for personal reasons cannot possibly suffer for the misery of mankind. And such a thing is not possible in actual conditions of the world. It would be artificial to introduce such a character in a literary work.”
Nazim received many criticisms not only from homeland but also from abroad. His romantic poetry has opposition sides. According to Hikmet there is much difference between Love in Theory and Love in traditionally. The theoretic love has human solidarity thus traditional love depicted as obstacle to inspiration of poet.
His thoughts mostly focussed on the love of universe and kind people of the planet.
In one of his poems, addressed to his second wife Piraye during he was jailed in Bursa Prison. He wrote to his wife that all the humans on this earth have the same love story like you and me but ours is not that harsh.
They have taken us prisoner. They have locked up. Me inside the walls, you outside the walls, but that is nothing. The most is when man carries knowingly, or not the prison inside him. Most people have been made to live like this. Honest, hard-working, good people who chosen to be loved as much as I love you
People out there had more harsh treatment than the couple (poet) had in their life but those are carrying prisons inside them. Nazim directed his poem of love and showed many concerns about them. While in jail, he wrote a letter to his wife.
Poem: “Letter to my wife” by Nazim Hikmet
My one and only your letter says: “My head is throbbing, my heart is stunned!” You say: “If they hadn't you, if I lose you, I'll die!” You'll live, my dear- My memory will vanish like black smoke in the wind. Of course, you'll live, red-haired lady of my heart: In the twentieth century, grief lasts at most a year. Death — A body swinging from a rope. My heart can't accept such a death. But you can bet if some poor gypsy's hairy black spidery hand slips a noose around my neck, they'll twilight of my last morning I will see my friends and you, and I'll go to my grave regretting nothing but an unfinished song. My wife. Good-hearted, Golden, Eyes sweeter than honey — my bee. Why did I write you do they want to hang me? The trial has hardly begun, and they don't just pluck A man's head like turnip. Look, forget all this. If you have any money, buy me some flannel underwear My sciatica is acting up again. And don't forget, A prisoner's wife must always think good thoughts.
This poem circulates a warm, deep feeling of love and the poet showed no fears. And someone could call it the power of love. Nazim don’t want his wife to do suicide. He convinced his wife that grief lasts a year, hardly in this twentieth century.
This poem at the end give us good message to those wives of prisoners who are feeble hearted. It is a booster of long-lasting love and care.
Also, Read Poem: “If You Were One Inches Long by Shel Silverstein” It is one of the mind-refreshing poems.
