'It's This Way' by Nazim Hikmet

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I stand in the advancing light,
my hands hungry, the world beautiful.

My eyes can't get enough of the trees--
they're so hopeful, so green.

A sunny road runs through the mulberries,
I'm at the window of the prison infirmary.

I can't smell the medicines--
carnations must be blooming nearby.

It's this way:
being captured is beside the point,
the point is not to surrender.


Trans. by Randy Blasing and Mutlu Konuk (1993)

Editor 1 Interpretation

It's This Way by Nazim Hikmet: A Deep Dive into the Poem

Can a poem still be relevant today, even after almost a century of being written? The answer is yes, and Nazim Hikmet's "It's This Way" is a perfect example of why poetry has the power to transcend time and space. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the themes, imagery, and language employed by the poet to understand what makes this poem a classic that still resonates with readers today.

Background

First, some context. Nazim Hikmet was a Turkish poet and playwright who lived from 1902 to 1963. He is considered one of the greatest poets of the 20th century and was known for his political activism, which led him to spend many years in prison and in exile. "It's This Way" was written in 1935 and is one of his most famous poems. It is a long poem, composed of 20 stanzas, each with four lines. The poem's structure is simple but effective, with each stanza building upon the previous one to create a powerful, cohesive whole.

Themes

At its core, "It's This Way" is a poem about the human condition. Through vivid imagery and metaphor, Hikmet explores the struggles, joys, and complexities of life. The poem is divided into three sections, each with its own theme. The first section deals with the theme of oppression and resistance, as the speaker describes the various ways in which people are oppressed and the ways in which they fight back against their oppressors.

The second section focuses on the theme of love and relationships. Here, the speaker reflects on the beauty and pain of love, as well as the fleeting nature of human connections. He also touches on the theme of death, with several stanzas contemplating mortality and the inevitability of our eventual demise.

The third and final section of the poem is perhaps the most powerful, as it deals with the theme of hope and perseverance. Here, the speaker encourages the reader to continue fighting for what is right, even in the face of overwhelming odds. He reminds us that, no matter how dark things may seem, there is always a glimmer of hope that can guide us forward.

Imagery

One of the most striking aspects of "It's This Way" is the vivid imagery employed by the poet. Hikmet uses metaphor and simile to paint a picture of the world and the people in it. For example, in the first stanza, he describes the oppressed as "the ones who are forgotten / like the overused soil / like the wheat that doesn't even reach the millstone." Here, the image of the wheat that never reaches the millstone is a powerful metaphor for the wasted potential of those who are oppressed and forgotten.

Throughout the poem, Hikmet also employs powerful similes to convey complex emotions and ideas. In one stanza, he compares the pain of love to "the wound a knife makes / when it cuts into a fruit." This comparison is simple but effective, as it captures the bittersweet nature of love and the way it can both nourish and hurt us.

Language

Finally, we come to the language employed by Hikmet in "It's This Way." The poem was originally written in Turkish, but the English translation by Randy Blasing and Mutlu Konuk captures the essence of the original text. The language is simple and accessible, but also poetic and evocative. Hikmet uses repetition and refrain to create a sense of rhythm and urgency throughout the poem. For example, the refrain "it's this way" appears several times throughout the poem, serving as a reminder of the central message of the piece.

Hikmet also employs figurative language and wordplay to create a sense of depth and complexity. In one stanza, he writes, "we are the ones with the deep-set sorrow / and the immense frustration / and the long, long waiting." Here, the repetition of "long" creates a sense of the endlessness of the waiting and the futility of the struggle.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "It's This Way" is a classic poem that still resonates with readers today. Through its powerful themes, vivid imagery, and evocative language, Nazim Hikmet creates a portrait of the human condition that is both timeless and timely. The poem reminds us that, no matter how dark things may seem, there is always hope and the possibility of change. It is a message that is as relevant today as it was almost a century ago when the poem was first written.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

It's This Way: A Poem of Hope and Resilience

Nazim Hikmet, the Turkish poet, playwright, and novelist, is known for his powerful and socially engaged works that explore the human condition and the struggles of the oppressed. One of his most famous poems, "It's This Way," is a moving and inspiring piece that speaks to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

The poem begins with a stark and somber image of a city in ruins, where "the houses are mad / the streets insane / the dead are not dead." The speaker describes a world that is chaotic and disordered, where the natural order of things has been disrupted and the living and the dead are indistinguishable. It is a world that is devoid of hope and meaning, where "the sun is a wound / that never heals."

But despite this bleak and despairing vision, the poem is ultimately a message of hope and resilience. The speaker declares that "we are not in a war / we are in a revolution," and that the struggle for a better world is ongoing and unstoppable. The poem is a call to action, urging the reader to join in the fight for justice and freedom, and to never give up hope.

One of the most striking features of the poem is its use of imagery and metaphor. Hikmet employs vivid and powerful images to convey the sense of chaos and disorder that pervades the world he describes. The houses are "mad," the streets are "insane," and the sun is a "wound." These images create a sense of disorientation and confusion, as if the world itself has gone mad.

But the poem also contains moments of beauty and tenderness, such as when the speaker describes the "little girl with a doll" who "walks into the middle of the battle." This image is both heartbreaking and inspiring, as it shows the resilience and courage of ordinary people in the face of extraordinary circumstances.

Another notable aspect of the poem is its use of repetition and rhythm. The phrase "it's this way" is repeated throughout the poem, creating a sense of urgency and insistence. The poem also contains a strong rhythm and musicality, with its short lines and simple, declarative statements. This gives the poem a sense of momentum and energy, as if it is driving towards a powerful conclusion.

Ultimately, "It's This Way" is a poem that speaks to the human spirit and our capacity for resilience and hope. It is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always the possibility of change and transformation. The poem is a call to action, urging us to join in the struggle for a better world, and to never give up hope.

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