Orhan Veli (1914-1950)
Orhan Veli was a poet and a lover of Istanbul. He was part of a progressive movement in poetry that shook the foundations of the old school of poetry and created a genre called the ‘garip’ movement along with other prominent poets such as Melih Cevdet Anday and Oktay Rifat.
Orhan Veli on the far left with his poet friends Sinasi Baray, Oktay Rifat and Melih Cevdet Anday
He has many poems on Istanbul but there is one that still lives with the Istabulites even after 73 years after his death. It is called ‘I am listening to Istanbul.’ One of the best translations I could find is by a famous translator: Talat Halman.
Orhan Veli’s legacy is still with us as his poetry sounds and feels so contemporary. There is a group of poetry lovers that have been walking from Taksim till his last resting place in Asiyan on the day he passed away as a tribute to the man who loved Istanbul. This tradition has been continuing for the last 28 years.
His statue close to his last resting place in Asiyan overlooking the Bosphorus
I am Listening to Istanbul
I am listening to Istanbul, intent, my eyes closed:
At first there is a gentle breeze
And the leaves on the trees
Softly sway;
Out there, far away,
The bells of water-carriers unceasingly ring;
I am listening to Istanbul, intent, my eyes closed.
I am listening to Istanbul, intent, my eyes closed;
Then suddenly birds fly by,
Flocks of birds, high up, with a hue and cry,
While the nets are drawn in the fishing grounds
And a woman’s feet begin to dabble in the water.
I am listening to Istanbul, intent, my eyes closed.
I am listening to Istanbul, intent, my eyes closed.
The Grand Bazaar’s serene and cool,
An uproar at the hub of the Market,
Mosque yards are full of pigeons.
While hammers bang and clang at the docks
Spring winds bear the smell of sweat;
I am listening to Istanbul, intent, my eyes closed.
I am listening to Istanbul, intent, my eyes closed;
Still giddy from the revelries of the past,
A seaside mansion with dingy boathouses is fast asleep.
Amid the din and drone of southern winds, reposed,
I am listening to Istanbul, intent, my eyes closed.
I am listening to Istanbul, intent, my eyes closed.
A pretty girl walks by on the sidewalk:
Four-letter words, whistles and songs, rude remarks;
Something falls out of her hand –
It is a rose, I guess.
I am listening to Istanbul, intent, my eyes closed.
I am listening to Istanbul, intent, my eyes closed.
A bird flutters round your skirt;
On your brow, is there sweat? Or not ? I know.
Are your lips wet? Or not? I know.
A silver moon rises beyond the pine trees:
I can sense it all in your heart’s throbbing.
I am listening to Istanbul, intent, my eyes closed.
Orhan Veli
translation by Talat Sait Halman
Orhan Veli’s famous poem associated with Istanbul was composed by Zulfu Livaneli. Let’s lend an ear.
