'Things I Didn't Know I Loved' by Nazim Hikmet
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it's 1962 March 28th
I'm sitting by the window on the Prague-Berlin trainnight is falling
I never knew I liked
night descending like a tired bird on a smoky wet plainI don't like
comparing nightfall to a tired birdI didn't know I loved the earth
can someone who hasn't worked the earth love itI've never worked the earth
it must be my only Platonic loveand here I've loved rivers all this time
whether motionless like this they curl skirting the hills
European hills crowned with chateaus
or whether stretched out flat as far as the eye can see
I know you can't wash in the same river even once
I know the river will bring new lights you'll never see
I know we live slightly longer than a horse but not nearly as long as a crow
I know this has troubled people beforeand will trouble those after me
I know all this has been said a thousand times beforeand will be said after meI didn't know I loved the skycloudy or clear
the blue vault Andrei studied on his back at Borodino
in prison I translated both volumes of
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Things I Didn't Know I Loved" by Nazim Hikmet: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Nazim Hikmet, a Turkish poet, playwright, and novelist, is one of the most prominent figures in modern Turkish literature. His works are characterized by their political themes, social realism, and passionate language. One of his most famous poems, "Things I Didn't Know I Loved," is a tribute to the simple joys of life that we often take for granted. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, language, and structure of the poem, as well as its cultural and historical context.
Overview of the Poem
"Things I Didn't Know I Loved" is a free-verse poem that describes the narrator's appreciation for the small things in life that bring him joy. The poem consists of nine stanzas of varying lengths, with no set rhyme or meter. The language is simple and direct, with many concrete images of everyday objects and experiences. The poem begins with the line, "I got out of bed on two strong legs," and ends with the line, "and I loved you and I loved life." In between, the narrator describes a series of experiences that he loves, such as the sound of a train, the taste of an apple, and the feeling of a breeze on his face.
Themes
The main theme of "Things I Didn't Know I Loved" is the beauty and value of everyday experiences. The poem celebrates the simple pleasures of life that are often overlooked or taken for granted, such as the sound of rain on a windowpane, the smell of freshly cut grass, and the taste of honey. The poem suggests that these experiences are essential to our happiness and well-being, and that we should take the time to appreciate them.
Another theme of the poem is the power of memory to enhance our enjoyment of life. The narrator often reflects on past experiences, such as the time he climbed a tree as a child, and these memories fill him with a sense of joy and wonder. The poem suggests that our memories can help us to appreciate the present and to find meaning in our lives.
Finally, the poem also touches on the theme of loneliness and isolation. The narrator often speaks in the first person, suggesting that he is alone in his appreciation of these simple pleasures. However, the poem also suggests that these experiences can connect us to others, as they are shared by all human beings.
Language and Style
The language of "Things I Didn't Know I Loved" is simple and direct, with many concrete images and sensory details. The use of free verse allows the poem to flow naturally, without the constraints of rhyme or meter. The language is also highly emotional, with many expressions of joy and wonder. The poem is written in the first person, which gives it a sense of intimacy and personal connection.
The style of the poem is characterized by its use of repetition and parallel structures. Many of the stanzas begin with the phrase "I didn't know," which creates a sense of discovery and surprise. The use of parallel structures, such as "I loved the..." and "I didn't know I loved the..." also creates a sense of rhythm and pattern, which reinforces the theme of the beauty and value of everyday experiences.
Cultural and Historical Context
"Things I Didn't Know I Loved" was written by Nazim Hikmet in 1953, during a period of political and social turmoil in Turkey. Hikmet was a Marxist and a political activist, and his poetry often reflected his commitment to social justice and political change. The poem can be seen as a response to the difficult conditions of life under authoritarian rule, and as a celebration of the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
The poem also reflects the influence of the modernist poetry of the early 20th century, particularly the work of William Carlos Williams and the imagist movement. Like these poets, Hikmet sought to create poetry that was grounded in concrete experience and that celebrated the beauty of everyday life.
Interpretation
"Things I Didn't Know I Loved" is a powerful and moving poem that celebrates the simple pleasures of life and the power of memory to enhance our enjoyment of the present. The poem suggests that these experiences are essential to our happiness and well-being, and that we should take the time to appreciate them. The poem also suggests that these experiences can connect us to others, as they are shared by all human beings.
The poem can be interpreted as a response to the difficult political and social conditions of life in Turkey in the 1950s. By celebrating the beauty and value of everyday experiences, the poem asserts the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. The poem also reflects the influence of the modernist poetry of the early 20th century, particularly the work of William Carlos Williams and the imagist movement.
Overall, "Things I Didn't Know I Loved" is a powerful and inspiring poem that reminds us of the importance of appreciating the simple pleasures of life and the power of memory to enhance our enjoyment of the present. By celebrating the beauty and value of everyday experiences, the poem offers a message of hope and resilience in the face of adversity.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Things I Didn't Know I Loved: A Masterpiece by Nazim Hikmet
Poetry is a form of art that has the power to move people, to inspire them, and to make them see the world in a different light. It is a medium that allows us to express our deepest emotions and thoughts, to connect with others, and to explore the complexities of the human experience. And no one understood this better than Nazim Hikmet, one of the greatest poets of the 20th century, whose poem "Things I Didn't Know I Loved" is a masterpiece of modern poetry.
Born in 1902 in Salonica, Ottoman Empire (now Thessaloniki, Greece), Hikmet was a Turkish poet, playwright, and novelist who spent much of his life in exile due to his political beliefs. He was a Marxist and a revolutionary who believed in the power of art to bring about social change. His poetry reflects his commitment to social justice, his love for humanity, and his deep understanding of the human condition.
"Things I Didn't Know I Loved" is one of Hikmet's most famous poems, and for good reason. It is a beautiful and moving tribute to the simple things in life that we often take for granted. The poem is written in free verse, with no rhyme or meter, which gives it a natural and spontaneous feel. It is divided into six stanzas, each of which describes a different aspect of life that the speaker has come to appreciate.
The poem begins with the lines:
Istanbul's streets are full of memories I don't remember Istanbul's streets are full of memories I don't remember Istanbul's streets are full of memories I don't remember
These lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a meditation on memory, nostalgia, and the passage of time. The speaker is reflecting on his life and the things that he has come to love, even though he didn't realize it at the time. He is looking back on his past with a sense of wonder and gratitude, realizing that the things he took for granted were actually the things that gave his life meaning.
The first stanza describes the beauty of Istanbul, the city where Hikmet was born and raised. The speaker describes the city's streets, its mosques, and its people, and he marvels at the fact that he didn't appreciate these things when he was younger. He says:
I didn't know I loved the sea except the Mediterranean which I loved more like a childhood friend
These lines capture the sense of nostalgia that runs throughout the poem. The speaker is looking back on his childhood and realizing that the things he loved then are still important to him now. He is also acknowledging the fact that he has changed over time, that his tastes and preferences have evolved, but that some things remain constant.
The second stanza is a tribute to the natural world. The speaker describes the beauty of the sky, the trees, and the birds, and he marvels at the fact that he didn't appreciate these things when he was younger. He says:
I didn't know I loved the sky cloudy or clear the blue vault Andrei studied on his back at Borodino
These lines show the speaker's appreciation for the beauty of nature, and his recognition that this beauty is something that he didn't fully appreciate until later in life. He is also acknowledging the fact that the natural world has a power and a majesty that is beyond human understanding.
The third stanza is a tribute to the people in the speaker's life. He describes his friends, his family, and the people he has loved, and he marvels at the fact that he didn't appreciate these people when he was younger. He says:
I didn't know I loved my father and his awkwardness and his silly jokes
These lines show the speaker's appreciation for the people in his life, and his recognition that these people have shaped him into the person he is today. He is also acknowledging the fact that relationships are complex and multifaceted, and that it is often only with the passage of time that we come to fully appreciate the people in our lives.
The fourth stanza is a tribute to the simple pleasures of life. The speaker describes the joy of reading, of listening to music, and of eating good food, and he marvels at the fact that he didn't appreciate these things when he was younger. He says:
I didn't know I loved the sound of my country's name whatever it was before they called it Turkey
These lines show the speaker's appreciation for the small things in life, and his recognition that these things can bring us great joy and happiness. He is also acknowledging the fact that culture and history are important, and that they shape our identities and our sense of belonging.
The fifth stanza is a tribute to the power of art. The speaker describes the beauty of poetry, of painting, and of sculpture, and he marvels at the fact that he didn't appreciate these things when he was younger. He says:
I didn't know I loved the poetry of Nâzım Hikmet the first time I read him
These lines show the speaker's appreciation for the power of art to move and inspire us, and his recognition that art can help us to see the world in a different light. He is also acknowledging the fact that art is a reflection of the human experience, and that it can help us to connect with others and to understand ourselves better.
The final stanza is a tribute to the passage of time. The speaker reflects on his life and the things that he has come to love, and he marvels at the fact that he didn't appreciate these things when he was younger. He says:
I didn't know I loved the stars Burning in a phosphorescent sky the name Andrée Chénier and so many others
These lines show the speaker's appreciation for the beauty of life, and his recognition that time is fleeting and precious. He is also acknowledging the fact that life is full of surprises, and that we never know what we will come to love or appreciate in the future.
In conclusion, "Things I Didn't Know I Loved" is a masterpiece of modern poetry that captures the essence of the human experience. It is a tribute to the simple things in life that we often take for granted, and a reminder that the passage of time can bring us great wisdom and understanding. Nazim Hikmet was a poet who understood the power of art to move and inspire us, and this poem is a testament to his genius. If you haven't read it yet, I highly recommend that you do. It will change the way you see the world.
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