'Last Will And Testament' by Nazim Hikmet

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Comrades, if I don't live to see the day
-- I mean,if I die before freedom comes --
take me away
and bury me in a village cemetery in Anatolia.The worker Osman whom Hassan Bey ordered shot
can lie on one side of me, and on the other side
the martyr Aysha, who gave birth in the rye
and died inside of forty days.Tractors and songs can pass below the cemetery --
in the dawn light, new people, the smell of burnt gasoline,
fields held in common, water in canals,
no drought or fear of the police.Of course, we won't hear those songs:
the dead lie stretched out underground
and rot like black branches,
deaf, dumb, and blind under the earth.But, I sang those songs
before they were written,
I smelled the burnt gasoline
before the blueprints for the tractors were drawn.As for my neighbors,
the worker Osman and the martyr Aysha,
they felt the great longing while alive,
maybe without even knowing it.Comrades, if I die before that day, I mean
-- and it's looking more and more likely --bury me in a village cemetery in Anatolia,
and if there's one handy,a plane tree could stand at my head,I wouldn't need a stone or anything.Moscow, Barviha Hospital

Editor 1 Interpretation

A Comprehensive Analysis of Nazim Hikmet's Last Will and Testament

Nazim Hikmet's "Last Will and Testament" is a poem that captures the essence of life, death, and the inevitability of change. It is a poem that speaks to us about the human experience, and the emotions that we all share. Through vivid imagery, metaphors, and symbolism, Hikmet creates a powerful and thought-provoking piece that evokes a wide range of emotions from its readers.

Background

Nazim Hikmet was a Turkish poet and playwright who lived from 1902 to 1963. He is considered one of the most important poets of the 20th century, and his work has been translated into many languages. Hikmet's poetry reflects his experiences as a political activist, and he is known for his commitment to social justice and his belief in the power of poetry to effect change.

The Poem

"Last Will and Testament" is a long poem that is divided into 12 sections. The poem begins with the poet's declaration that he is writing his last will and testament. He goes on to describe the world he is leaving behind, and the people and places that have been important to him. As the poem progresses, the poet reflects on his life, and the things that he has learned.

The poem is filled with vivid imagery and powerful metaphors. For example, in the first section of the poem, the poet compares himself to a tree that is being cut down:

"I am being cut down, like a tree in the forest,
And my branches have been stripped bare."

The image of the tree being cut down is a powerful metaphor for the poet's own life. It suggests that he is being destroyed, or that his life is coming to an end. The image of the bare branches also suggests that the poet has been stripped of all that he once had.

Throughout the poem, the poet uses a variety of symbols to represent different aspects of his life. For example, he describes his childhood home as a "nest" that has been abandoned. This image suggests that the poet is leaving behind the place where he grew up, and that he is moving on to something new.

Themes

One of the main themes of "Last Will and Testament" is the inevitability of change. The poem suggests that life is constantly changing, and that we must learn to adapt to these changes. This theme is reflected in the image of the tree being cut down, which suggests that life is fleeting and that we must make the most of the time we have.

Another theme of the poem is the importance of memory. The poet reflects on his life, and the things that he has learned. He remembers the people and places that have been important to him, and he acknowledges that these memories will stay with him forever.

Finally, the poem also touches on the idea of mortality. The poet acknowledges that he is writing his last will and testament, and that he will soon be gone. This theme is reflected in the image of the tree being cut down, which suggests that death is an inevitable part of life.

Literary Devices

Hikmet employs a number of literary devices in "Last Will and Testament" to help convey the themes of the poem. One of the most notable is the use of imagery. The poet uses vivid imagery throughout the poem to create powerful visual images that help bring the poem to life.

Another important literary device used in the poem is symbolism. The poet uses a variety of symbols throughout the poem to represent different aspects of his life. For example, he describes his childhood home as a "nest" that has been abandoned. This image suggests that the poet is leaving behind the place where he grew up, and that he is moving on to something new.

Interpretation

The poem can be interpreted in a number of different ways, depending on the reader's perspective. One possible interpretation is that the poem is a reflection on the poet's own life. The poem suggests that the poet is preparing to die, and that he is reflecting on his life and the things that he has learned.

Another possible interpretation is that the poem is a commentary on the human experience. The poem suggests that life is fleeting, and that we must learn to adapt to the changes that come our way. It also suggests that memory is important, and that the things we remember will stay with us forever.

Conclusion

"Last Will and Testament" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that captures the essence of life, death, and the inevitability of change. Through vivid imagery, metaphors, and symbolism, Hikmet creates a piece that evokes a wide range of emotions from its readers. The poem is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the human experience, and it is a reflection on the things that are important in life.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Nazim Hikmet's "Last Will and Testament" is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a powerful and moving piece of literature that speaks to the human condition and the struggles that we all face in life. In this analysis, we will explore the themes and motifs of the poem, as well as its historical and cultural significance.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing his friends and loved ones, telling them that he has written his last will and testament. He then proceeds to list the things that he is leaving behind, including his books, his clothes, and his love. The speaker then goes on to reflect on his life and the things that he has learned along the way.

One of the central themes of the poem is the idea of mortality. The speaker is acutely aware of his own mortality and the fact that he will not be around forever. He speaks of his own death as a natural and inevitable part of life, and he encourages his loved ones to accept it as such. This theme is particularly poignant given the fact that Hikmet himself was a political prisoner for much of his life and was constantly faced with the possibility of death.

Another important theme of the poem is the idea of legacy. The speaker is concerned with what he will leave behind after he is gone. He speaks of his books and his writings as his legacy, and he encourages his loved ones to continue to read and appreciate them after he is gone. This theme is particularly relevant given Hikmet's own status as a literary icon in Turkey and around the world.

The poem also touches on the idea of love and relationships. The speaker speaks of his love for his friends and loved ones, and he encourages them to continue to love each other after he is gone. This theme is particularly relevant given the fact that Hikmet himself was a passionate and outspoken advocate for love and human connection.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of imagery and metaphor. The speaker uses vivid and powerful imagery to convey his ideas and emotions. For example, he speaks of his books as "the fruit of my tree," and he compares his love to a "flame that burns in the heart." These metaphors are both beautiful and powerful, and they help to convey the depth and complexity of the speaker's emotions.

The poem also has a strong historical and cultural significance. Hikmet was a prominent figure in the Turkish literary and political scene, and his work was often censored and banned by the government. His poetry was seen as a threat to the established order, and he was often persecuted for his beliefs. Despite this, Hikmet continued to write and to speak out against injustice and oppression, and his work has had a lasting impact on Turkish literature and culture.

In conclusion, Nazim Hikmet's "Last Will and Testament" is a powerful and moving poem that speaks to the human condition and the struggles that we all face in life. Its themes of mortality, legacy, love, and relationships are timeless and universal, and its use of imagery and metaphor is both beautiful and powerful. The poem is also significant from a historical and cultural perspective, as it reflects the life and work of one of Turkey's most important literary and political figures. Overall, "Last Will and Testament" is a masterpiece of modern poetry, and it deserves to be read and appreciated by people all over the world.

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