'Autobiography' by Nazim Hikmet

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1961I was born in 1902
I never once went back to my birthplace
I don't like to turn back
at three I served as a pasha's grandson in Aleppo
at nineteen as a student at Moscow Communist University
at forty-nine I was back in Moscow as the Tcheka Party's guest
and I've been a poet since I was fourteen
some people know all about plants some about fishI know separation
some people know the names of the stars by heartI recite absences
I've slept in prisons and in grand hotels
I've known hunger even a hunger strike and there's almost no foodI haven't tasted
at thirty they wanted to hang me
at forty-eight to give me the Peace Prizewhich they did
at thirty-six I covered four square meters of concrete in half a year
at fifty-nine I flew from Prague to Havana in eighteen hours
I never saw Lenin I stood watch at his coffin in '24
in '61 the tomb I visit is his books
they tried to tear me away from my partyit didn't work
nor was I crushed under the falling idols
in '51 I sailed with a young friend into the teeth of death
in '52 I spent four months flat on my back with a broken heartwaiting to die
I was jealous of the women I loved
I didn't envy Charlie Chaplin one bit
I deceived my women
I never talked my friends' backs
I drank but not every day
I earned my bread money honestly what happiness
out of embarrassment for others I lied
I lied so as not to hurt someone elsebut I also lied for no reason at all
I've ridden in trains planes and cars
most people don't get the chance
I went to operamost people haven't even heard of the opera
and since '21 I haven't gone to the places most people visitmosques churches temples synagogues sorcerersbut I've had my coffee grounds read
my writings are published in thirty or forty languagesin my Turkey in my Turkish they're banned
cancer hasn't caught up with me yet
and nothing says it will
I'll never be a prime minister or anything like that
and I wouldn't want such a life
nor did I go to war
or burrow in bomb shelters in the bottom of the night
and I never had to take to the road under diving planes
but I fell in love at almost sixty
in short comrades
even if today in Berlin I'm croaking of griefI can say I've lived like a human being
and who knowshow much longer I'll livewhat else will happen to me

Editor 1 Interpretation

Nazim Hikmet's Poetry, Autobiography: A Journey Into the Heart of the Poet

Nazim Hikmet's Poetry, Autobiography is a powerful and deeply personal work that takes the reader on a journey through the life and art of one of Turkey's greatest poets. Written in a style that is equal parts lyrical and confessional, this book provides a fascinating glimpse into the mind of a man who was both a great artist and a political activist.

At its core, Poetry, Autobiography is a book about the power of poetry to transform lives and to change the world. Hikmet's poetry is deeply rooted in the political and social struggles of his time, and he was never afraid to use his art as a weapon in the fight for justice and freedom. Throughout his life, he was imprisoned and exiled for his political beliefs, but he never lost his faith in the power of poetry to inspire and uplift.

The book is divided into two sections. The first section is a collection of some of Hikmet's most famous poems, including "Things I Didn't Know I Loved" and "On Living." These poems are powerful and moving, and they provide a window into the soul of a man who was both deeply passionate and deeply conflicted.

The second section of the book is an autobiographical account of Hikmet's life and work. Here, he writes about his childhood, his early years as a poet, his political activism, and his time in prison and exile. He also reflects on the role of poetry in his life and on the relationship between art and politics.

One of the most striking things about Hikmet's writing in Poetry, Autobiography is his use of language. His poetry is often experimental and avant-garde, and he was constantly pushing the boundaries of what was considered acceptable in Turkish literature. His prose, too, is lyrical and poetic, and he has a gift for painting vivid pictures with words.

At times, his writing can be challenging and even dense, but it is always rewarding. His use of metaphor and imagery is particularly powerful, and he has a way of making the reader feel as if they are experiencing the world through his eyes.

Throughout the book, Hikmet is candid and introspective. He is not afraid to write about his own flaws and weaknesses, and he is willing to explore the darker corners of his own psyche. This honesty and self-reflection are what make Poetry, Autobiography such a powerful and compelling work.

One of the most moving sections of the book is Hikmet's account of his time in prison. He writes about the isolation and despair he felt, and about the ways in which poetry helped him to survive. He also reflects on the political dimension of his imprisonment, and on the ways in which the Turkish government used the prisons as a tool of repression.

Despite the darkness of some of the subject matter, Poetry, Autobiography is ultimately a book about hope and resilience. Hikmet's poetry is a testament to the enduring power of the human spirit, and his life is a testament to the ability of art to transcend even the darkest moments of history.

In conclusion, Nazim Hikmet's Poetry, Autobiography is a deeply moving and powerful work of literature. It is a testament to the enduring power of poetry, and to the courage and resilience of one of Turkey's greatest poets. Whether you are a lover of poetry, a student of history, or simply someone looking for a powerful and inspiring read, this book is not to be missed.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Nazim Hikmet's Poetry Autobiography is a masterpiece that captures the essence of the poet's life and work. The book is a collection of poems that tells the story of Hikmet's life, from his childhood to his time in prison and exile. The poems are written in a simple and direct style, yet they are powerful and moving. In this analysis, we will explore the themes and motifs that run through the book and examine the ways in which Hikmet's life experiences shaped his poetry.

The book is divided into three sections, each of which covers a different period in Hikmet's life. The first section, titled "Childhood," contains poems that describe Hikmet's early years in Istanbul. These poems are filled with vivid images of the city and its people, and they capture the sense of wonder and curiosity that Hikmet felt as a child. In "The Street," for example, Hikmet describes the sights and sounds of the street where he grew up:

The street where I was born
Was narrow, paved with cobblestones,
And there were trees on both sides.
The houses were old, with wooden shutters
And balconies that looked out over the street.

These lines paint a picture of a vibrant and bustling neighborhood, full of life and energy. Hikmet's descriptions are so vivid that the reader can almost smell the spices and hear the chatter of the people on the street.

The second section of the book, titled "Prison," covers the period of Hikmet's life when he was imprisoned for his political beliefs. These poems are more somber and introspective than those in the first section, reflecting the isolation and despair that Hikmet felt during his time in prison. In "Letters from Prison," Hikmet writes:

I am alone in my cell,
And the walls are closing in.
I hear the sound of my own breathing,
And it is the only sound I hear.

These lines convey a sense of claustrophobia and despair, as Hikmet struggles to maintain his sanity in the face of confinement and isolation. Yet even in these dark moments, Hikmet's poetry remains powerful and moving, a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.

The final section of the book, titled "Exile," covers the period of Hikmet's life when he was forced to leave Turkey and live in exile. These poems are more reflective and philosophical than those in the previous sections, as Hikmet grapples with questions of identity and belonging. In "The Stranger," for example, Hikmet writes:

I am a stranger in this land,
A wanderer without a home.
I have no roots, no place to call my own,
And yet I am still alive.

These lines capture the sense of dislocation and alienation that Hikmet felt as an exile, yet they also suggest a deeper sense of resilience and determination. Despite the challenges he faced, Hikmet remained committed to his art and his ideals, and his poetry reflects this sense of purpose and conviction.

Throughout the book, Hikmet's poetry is marked by a number of recurring themes and motifs. One of the most prominent of these is the theme of social justice and political activism. Hikmet was a committed Marxist and a vocal critic of the Turkish government, and his poetry reflects this political engagement. In "The Epic of Sheikh Bedreddin," for example, Hikmet tells the story of a 15th-century revolutionary who fought against the Ottoman Empire. The poem is a powerful indictment of authoritarianism and oppression, and it reflects Hikmet's own commitment to social justice and political change.

Another recurring theme in Hikmet's poetry is the theme of love and human connection. Despite the challenges he faced in his life, Hikmet remained deeply committed to the idea of love and the power of human connection. In "Love," for example, Hikmet writes:

Love is the only thing that matters,
The only thing that makes life worth living.
Without love, we are nothing,
Just empty shells, wandering through the world.

These lines capture the sense of passion and intensity that Hikmet brought to his poetry, as well as his deep belief in the transformative power of love.

In conclusion, Nazim Hikmet's Poetry Autobiography is a powerful and moving testament to the life and work of one of the greatest poets of the 20th century. Through his poetry, Hikmet captured the essence of his own experiences and the struggles of his time, creating a body of work that remains relevant and inspiring to this day. Whether exploring themes of social justice and political activism or celebrating the power of love and human connection, Hikmet's poetry is a testament to the resilience and determination of the human spirit.

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