Written by Yahya Kemal Beyatlı, translated into English by Aysel K. Basci
* * *
A Summer Past
It was a dream of a summer.
You created its every moment, poem and color
With enthusiasm and pleasure.
The gardens are still filled with your sweet voice!
One day, if you long for a memory from that summer
Take a look at the bay’s thought-filled water.
Buried there, you will see one of those past nights;
The moonlight… large roses… the best reflection of your face…
In short, that dream is there in its proper place!
Geçmiş Yaz
Rüya gibi bir yazdı. Yarattın hevesinle
Her anını, her rengini, her şiirini hazdan.
Halâ doludur bahçeler en tatlı sesinle!
Bir gün, bir uzak hatıra özlersen o yazdan
Körfezdeki dalgın suya bir bak, göreceksin:
Geçmiş gecelerden biri durmakta derinde;
Mehtap… iri güller… ve senin en güzel aksin…
Velhasıl o rüya duruyor yerli yerinde!