'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 train
night is falling
I never knew I liked
night descending like a tired bird on a smoky wet plain
I don't like
comparing nightfall to a tired bird
I didn't know I loved the earth
can someone who hasn't worked the earth love it
I've never worked the earth
it must be my only Platonic love
and 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 before
and will trouble those after me
I know all this has been said a thousand times before
and will be said after me
I didn't know I loved the sky
cloudy or clear
the blue vault Andrei studied on his back at Borodino
in prison I translated both volumes of War and Peace into Turkish
I hear voices
not from the blue vault but from the yard
the guards are beating someone again
I didn't know I loved trees
bare beeches near Moscow in Peredelkino
they come upon me in winter noble and modest
beeches are Russian the way poplars are Turkish
"the poplars of Izmir
losing their leaves. . .
they call me The Knife. . .
lover like a young tree. . .
I blow stately mansions sky-high"
in the Ilgaz woods in 1920 I tied an embroidered linen handkerchief
to a pine bough for luck
I never knew I loved roads
even the asphalt kind
Vera's behind the wheel we're driving from Moscow to the Crimea
Koktebele
formerly "Goktepé ili" in Turkish
the two of us inside a closed box
the world flows past on both sides distant and mute
I was never so close to anyone in my life
bandits stopped me on the red road between Bolu and Geredé
when I was eighteen
apart from my life I didn't have anything in the wagon they could take
and at eighteen our lives are what we value least
I've written this somewhere before
wading through a dark muddy street I'm going to the shadow play
Ramazan night
a paper lantern leading the way
maybe nothing like this ever happened
maybe I read it somewhere an eight-year-old boy
going to the shadow play
Ramazan night in Istanbul holding his grandfather's hand
his grandfather has on a fez and is wearing the fur coat
with a sable collar over his robe
and there's a lantern in the servant's hand
and I can't contain myself for joy
flowers come to mind for some reason
poppies cactuses jonquils
in the jonquil garden in Kadikoy Istanbul I kissed Marika
fresh almonds on her breath
I was seventeen
my heart on a swing touched the sky
I didn't know I loved flowers
friends sent me three red carnations in prison
I just remembered the stars
I love them too
whether I'm floored watching them from below
or whether I'm flying at their side
I have some questions for the cosmonauts
were the stars much bigger
did they look like huge jewels on black velvet
or apricots on orange
did you feel proud to get closer to the stars
I saw color photos of the cosmos in Ogonek magazine now don't
be upset comrades but nonfigurative shall we say or abstract
well some of them looked just like such paintings which is to
say they were terribly figurative and concrete
my heart was in my mouth looking at them
they are our endless desire to grasp things
seeing them I could even think of death and not feel at all sad
I never knew I loved the cosmos
snow flashes in front of my eyes
both heavy wet steady snow and the dry whirling kind
I didn't know I liked snow
I never knew I loved the sun
even when setting cherry-red as now
in Istanbul too it sometimes sets in postcard colors
but you aren't about to paint it that way
I didn't know I loved the sea
except the Sea of Azov
or how much
I didn't know I loved clouds
whether I'm under or up above them
whether they look like giants or shaggy white beasts
moonlight the falsest the most languid the most petit-bourgeois
strikes me
I like it
I didn't know I liked rain
whether it falls like a fine net or splatters against the glass my
heart leaves me tangled up in a net or trapped inside a drop
and takes off for uncharted countries I didn't know I loved
rain but why did I suddenly discover all these passions sitting
by the window on the Prague-Berlin train
is it because I lit my sixth cigarette
one alone could kill me
is it because I'm half dead from thinking about someone back in Moscow
her hair straw-blond eyelashes blue
the train plunges on through the pitch-black night
I never knew I liked the night pitch-black
sparks fly from the engine
I didn't know I loved sparks
I didn't know I loved so many things and I had to wait until sixty
to find it out sitting by the window on the Prague-Berlin train
watching the world disappear as if on a journey of no return
19 April 1962
Moscow
Trans. by Randy Blasing and Mutlu Konuk (1993)
Editor 1 Interpretation
Things I Didn't Know I Loved: A Deep Dive into Nazim Hikmet's Classic Poem
Nazim Hikmet's "Things I Didn't Know I Loved" is a poem that beautifully captures the essence of life in all its complexities. The poem is a masterpiece of modern poetry and has been celebrated for its emotional depth, philosophical insights, and evocative imagery.
In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the various themes and literary devices used by Hikmet in this poem. We will also delve into the historical context in which the poem was written and analyze its relevance to contemporary society.
Historical Context
Nazim Hikmet was a Turkish poet and playwright who lived in the first half of the 20th century. He was a prominent member of the Turkish literary scene and was known for his leftist political views. Hikmet was a prolific writer who produced a vast body of work that addressed a wide range of social, political, and cultural issues.
"Things I Didn't Know I Loved" was written during Hikmet's exile in Moscow in 1956. Hikmet was forced to leave Turkey in 1951 due to his political activities and spent the rest of his life in exile. The poem reflects Hikmet's experiences of being away from his homeland and his feelings of nostalgia and longing.
Themes
The poem is a reflection on the joys and sorrows of life and the things that make it worth living. It is a celebration of the small things that we often take for granted, but which bring meaning to our lives. The poem is also a meditation on the human condition and the inevitability of death.
One of the main themes of the poem is nostalgia. Hikmet longs for the things he left behind in his homeland, such as the smell of the sea and the sound of the muezzin's call to prayer. This sense of longing is a common theme in literature, but Hikmet infuses it with a sense of urgency and desperation that is uniquely his.
Another theme of the poem is the beauty of everyday life. Hikmet celebrates the small things that make life worth living, such as the taste of a tomato or the sound of a child's laughter. By focusing on these small details, Hikmet reminds us of the beauty that surrounds us every day and encourages us to appreciate it.
The poem also explores the theme of mortality. Hikmet reflects on the inevitability of death and the fact that all of us will eventually die. However, he also reminds us that life is still worth living, even in the face of death.
Literary Devices
Hikmet uses a variety of literary devices in "Things I Didn't Know I Loved" to create a sense of depth and complexity. One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of imagery. Hikmet's descriptions of the sea, the sky, and the sun are vivid and evocative, and they transport the reader to another world.
Another literary device that Hikmet uses is repetition. The phrase "Things I Didn't Know I Loved" is repeated throughout the poem, emphasizing the idea that we often take the things we love for granted. This repetition also creates a sense of rhythm and musicality, adding to the poem's emotional impact.
Hikmet also uses metaphor and symbolism to create meaning in the poem. For example, the tomato is used as a metaphor for the simple pleasures of life, while the sea represents the vastness of the world and the unknown. The use of these symbols adds depth and complexity to the poem.
Interpretation
"Things I Didn't Know I Loved" is a poem that resonates with readers on a deep emotional level. Its themes of nostalgia, the beauty of everyday life, and mortality are universal, and they speak to the human experience in a profound way.
The poem is also a reflection of Hikmet's own experiences as an exile. His longing for his homeland and his celebration of the small things in life are indicative of the struggles that many exiles face. The poem can be seen as a commentary on the human experience of displacement and the importance of finding meaning in life, even in the face of adversity.
In a broader sense, the poem can be read as a call to appreciate the beauty that surrounds us every day. Hikmet reminds us that life is fleeting, and that we should savor every moment, no matter how small. The poem encourages us to take a step back from our busy lives and appreciate the simple pleasures that make life worth living.
Conclusion
"Things I Didn't Know I Loved" is a masterpiece of modern poetry that has stood the test of time. Its emotional depth, philosophical insights, and evocative imagery have made it a beloved classic that continues to resonate with readers today.
The poem is a celebration of life in all its complexity, and it reminds us of the importance of finding meaning in the small things. By exploring themes of nostalgia, the beauty of everyday life, and mortality, Hikmet creates a work of art that speaks to the human experience in a profound way.
In the end, "Things I Didn't Know I Loved" is a poem that inspires us to live our lives to the fullest, to appreciate the beauty that surrounds us, and to find meaning in the small things that make life worth living.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Things I Didn't Know I Loved: A Poem of Discovery and Gratitude
Nazim Hikmet, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, wrote a beautiful poem titled "Things I Didn't Know I Loved". This poem is a reflection on the small things in life that we often take for granted, but which bring us immense joy and comfort. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of the poem, and understand why it has become a classic in the world of poetry.
The poem begins with the speaker expressing his surprise at the things he loves, but didn't know he loved. He says, "it's 1962 March 28th / I'm sitting by the window on the Prague-Berlin train". This opening line sets the scene for the rest of the poem, and we can imagine the speaker looking out of the window, lost in thought. The fact that he is on a train, travelling from one place to another, is significant. It suggests that he is in a state of transition, both physically and emotionally. He is leaving one place behind and moving towards another, and this journey is making him reflect on his life and the things that matter to him.
The first thing that the speaker discovers he loves is "the color of the sky in Istanbul". This is a powerful image, as the sky is often associated with freedom and hope. The fact that the speaker loves the color of the sky in Istanbul suggests that he has a deep connection to his homeland, and that he finds comfort in the familiar. He goes on to describe other things he loves, such as "the sound of the muezzin / calling the faithful to prayer", "the smell of our streets", and "the taste of watermelon". These are all sensory experiences that evoke strong emotions in the speaker. They remind him of home, of his childhood, and of the people he loves.
As the poem progresses, the speaker becomes more introspective. He reflects on his past, and the things he didn't appreciate at the time. He says, "I didn't know I loved / the leaves of the eucalyptus tree / rustling in the morning breeze". This line is particularly poignant, as it suggests that the speaker has only come to appreciate the beauty of nature later in life. He also reflects on the people he loves, and the things they do that bring him joy. He says, "I didn't know I loved / my father's eyes / or the way my wife laughs". These are simple things, but they are the things that make life worth living.
The poem ends with the speaker expressing his gratitude for the things he loves. He says, "now I know I love these things / because I see them / in your eyes". This line is addressed to someone specific, and it suggests that the speaker has found love and companionship. The fact that he sees the things he loves in the eyes of another person is a powerful image, as it suggests that love has given him a new perspective on life. He no longer takes things for granted, but appreciates them fully.
The structure of the poem is simple but effective. It is divided into four stanzas, each with four lines. The first three stanzas describe the things the speaker loves, while the final stanza expresses his gratitude. The repetition of the phrase "I didn't know I loved" creates a sense of discovery and surprise. It suggests that the speaker is uncovering hidden truths about himself, and that he is grateful for the opportunity to do so.
The language of the poem is simple and direct, but it is also rich in imagery and emotion. The use of sensory details, such as the color of the sky, the sound of the muezzin, and the taste of watermelon, creates a vivid picture in the reader's mind. The repetition of the phrase "I didn't know I loved" creates a sense of wonder and discovery, while the final line, "because I see them / in your eyes", is a powerful expression of love and gratitude.
In conclusion, "Things I Didn't Know I Loved" is a beautiful poem that celebrates the small things in life that bring us joy and comfort. It is a poem of discovery and gratitude, and it reminds us to appreciate the things we often take for granted. The simple structure and language of the poem make it accessible to all readers, while the rich imagery and emotion make it a classic in the world of poetry.
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