THE WALNUT TREE 

    my head foaming clouds, sea inside me and out 
    I am a walnut tree in Gulhane Park 
    an old walnut, knot by knot, shred by shred 
    Neither you are aware of this, nor the police 

    I am a walnut tree in Gulhane Park 
    My leaves are nimble, nimble like fish in water 
    My leaves are sheer, sheer like a silk handkerchief 
    pick, wipe, my rose, the tear from your eyes 
    My leaves are my hands, I have one hundred thousand 
    I touch you with one hundred thousand hands, I touch Istanbul 
    My leaves are my eyes, I look in amazement 
    I watch you with one hundred thousand eyes, I watch Istanbul 
    Like one hundred thousand hearts, beat, beat my leaves 

    I am a walnut tree in Gulhane Park 
    neither you are aware of this, nor the police 
  

Nâzım HİKMET

Translated by Gün GENCER