Compass

Refik DURBAŞ

COMPASS

I am past the age mother died
though the loyalty of waters and pain
-and sure enough the sky
are my children

I am at the age father died
though nostalgia, longing
-and sure enough loneliness
are my friends

Let the winds write my love

But my heart is still
at the age my son fell in love
-Though love's compass
has sure enough turned into memories

Two pigeons, oh my life
perched on the shoulders of the years
on life, the other death
sure enough is what I've lived

One is Refik, the other Durbaş in fact

Translated by Suat Karantay