Parting

                                                By Arif Ay

The dreams are loaded with laments

And the flowers blossom early in an Andalusian morning

From Merve the beloved comes to the shore

The Tigris flows by the evening tales

The beauty of Istanbul, perhaps, is a childish beauty

But the children live a thousand Badr wars in their hearts

Istanbul’s face is scratched and the cut goes deep

Alas, henna is the colour of the sea

Dripping from the hands of mothers

As Andalusia ages she smells of iodine

Now, our love is warmer than our hatred

I am the child wearing the face of St. Sophia, the orphan

Oh heart, a thorny rose in my handkerchief

Thousands of voices have divided our voices

Those who silenced our voice

Have died one by one

This is the endless struggle

Of my heart

Dear heart you’re warm!

Source: Flowering Sky By Arif Ay    Translated by Mevlut Ceylan