Metin Altıok (1941–1993) was a Turkish poet, educator, and thinker, known for his deeply humanistic poetry. He was born in Bergama, Turkey, and studied philosophy at Istanbul University, which influenced the reflective and philosophical tone of his work.
Altıok worked as a teacher and school administrator for much of his life, a vocation that reflected his commitment to nurturing thought and creativity in others. His poetry often grapples with themes of love, existence, human suffering, and the fragility of life.
Tragically, Metin Altıok’s life was cut short in 1993 when he was killed during the Sivas Massacre, an attack on a cultural event in which intellectuals, artists, and Alevi figures were targeted. Despite his untimely death, his poetry continues to resonate, celebrated for its sincerity, compassion, and moral courage.
Metin Altıok (1941–1993)
I have recently learnt that there is now a library dedicated to the poet in Küçükçekmece which hosts 14.000 books and can accomodate up to 160 people. I am so happy to hear that this great poet’s name will live in a library in Istanbul!
Altıok’s poems are still with us as a living reminder of the artist’s genius and his untimely death. I want to share two of his beautiful poems that touch a deep cord in me.
One of my most favourite poems by the poet has been composed by Onno Tunç in which he says:
My flesh is freezing cold, my heart in aches.
Oh the poplar trees, the poplar trees…
With coarse scissors,
They carved me out of an old photograph.
Half of my cheek remained there,
Piecing itself together with the emptiness.
A cut hand on my shoulders,
bleeding for ever and ever.
Oh the poplar trees, the poplar trees…
Pain is chasing me, whistling all through the way.
(Translated by Rukiye Uçar)
The song is beaıtifully performed by Sezen Aksu.
I want to end with a final poem by Altok titled ‘I fall’ which has been composed by the prominent Turkish musician Fazıl Say.
Let him rest in peace!
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