LEYLA IŞIK

 

How Blue Life Seems To Be

 

They don’t feel how much pain you have at your heart

The bitter residue of waiting would not be appreciated

The mirror becomes your company in your loneliness

As you reckon that you are a captive inside four walls

Walls multiply, and the corners replicate

You get drowned in the muteness of time

Shadows swathe you being concerned

You would see half smile, half grief in their eyes

Halved faces of the half-life come into focus

And the traces of a life you consider a sin appear on their faces

If only we could break the chains at our souls…

If only there would not be handcuffs on our hands

And shackles on our feet,

If only the curtains of our eyes would be opened

Then we would see the life so much blue

 

Translation By Mesut Şenol

 

2

 

I drop my concerns on the foaming waves…

The day is coming to its end. A bit later dusk in the evening

Shall witness the rise of the water once again.

The clouds of longing covering my eyes, are listening

To the sound my heart as if they are waiting in the wings.

 

I wish you know, how much unknown times I spent

by the shores of the seas. How many recurring memories I had…

The pain of the distance would fill in every breath I take

By the sound of the wind echoing

As “the one who’s gone has not returned”, I make

my ears deaf, and my tongue red. Double edged

knives are sharpened inside my body. I throw my side

in your absence into abysses.

I would wait by the shore-less seas… An unfamiliar language to me

is spoken by the seagulls, nevertheless I would still dispatch a news

to you.

 

I know you love me. I am aware of the fact that

the fire kindled by indifference sits at your heart.

“Promise”, you said. “My hands would not hold

hands of other persons, my skin would not dress

the skin of another one,

you are the only one I love.”

I also said “Promise”, no other hands touched

my hands, no other skin dressed mine,

The left side of my heart always belonged to you. I painted

only you in my eyes.

You are in faraway places.

Here you are my love!

This is why I poured out my heart onto the waves. I wanted,

it’s better you too would know all about it. 

 

24.03.2012 18.40 Izmir at an hour in your absence.

 

English Translation By Mesut Şenol

 

From My Lips To My Toes . . .

 

The blaze of the evening on the windows . . .

When you took me into your arms with passion

My hands used to behave childishly in your hands,

And all the stars in the sky

Used to come down into my eyes . . .

In those nights we breathlessly experienced,

The moonlight

Used to hold on to the hair of the curtains.

You were fireflies coming down with their torches

From my lips . . . to my toes . . .

As if mountains have bent over their foot slopes

And kissed wild flowers . . .

You were

The most beautiful hours of the day.

 

Translated By Baki Yiğit

 

LEYLA IŞIK

 

LEYLA IŞIK: Educator-Poet-Writer-Artist-Painter. She graduated from Teacher Training College in Usak and Faculty of Education of Eskisehir Anadolu University. She had worked as a teacher for many years. She, Vice President of KIBATEK and International Organization and Project Coordinator, organized the 31st,34 th, 39th, 40 th, 42 nd, 44 the KIBATEK International Litrary Festivals and attended India World Poetry Festival organized by Pentasy B in Hydarabadand “Golden Word” International Literary Festival in Uzbekistan. Her Awards:2003 - İksder-İzmir Culture and Art Association "Halikarnas Fisher CevatŞakir" First Prize Poetry Award, 2008 – Şaire Mehseti Gencevi (MŞM) Honorary Diploma on behalf of Azerbaijani Baku Poet Mesheti Genjevi for Serving Turkish World Literature. 2013 – Atilla İlhan Friendship and Fidelity Medallion from Platform of Love Izmir 2015 - World Young Writers Association (DGTYB) Literary Award, 2016 - Rumen Dialect, Poetry, Art, Literature Platform International Literature, Friendship and Peace Prize. 2017-Pablo Neruda Cultural Association” Neruda Award 2017”award- Italy Pablo Neruda Cultural Association” Representative for Turkey of Pablo- Neruda-Italy Honorary Member of Italian Cultural Association Pablo Neruda Chief Representative of the World Notation Writers ‘union in Turkey-Kazakhstan  Hyderabad India World Poetry Festival Pentasi B 2017 "Inspirational poetry" award Fellowship Certificate-Fellow of the Regal world of Scribes (FRWS) India World Poetry Festival “Writers Corner - Warangal Medal”  India World Poetry Festival Writers Corner Warangal “The Enchanting Muse Award" World Nations Writers “Union Kazakhstan “Pride of the Globe-2017, WNWU” in Response to exceptional commitment and devotion to literature 2018-OPA-Poetry Archive’s Assignment of Publication  OPA Our Poetry Archive featured poet of the month March. World Award in Literature - 2018, WNWU 2019-Motivational strips “AMBASSADOR DE LITERATURE 2020-Peruvian Union "Literary Excellent Award" Hispanom Dial De Escritores, Motivation           Strips, World Nations Writers Union Chile Diploma and Certificate of Honor Romania International Academy of Arts and Letters Certificate Morocco "International Creativity and Humanity Certificate" India / Daman "World Illustrated Poetry Forum" Grand Woman Poet Award for great success in high virtue assessment