A Season, A Pause, and a Handful of Poems

Poems Penned by Peace, Where the Mind Is at Ease

Everyone's idea of a holiday is different. For me, it's about leaving Istanbul. No matter what I do, not being there feels like a mini escape. I'm glad I finally left temporarily after a few years. I was especially glad to be freed from the constant noise, traffic, and meaningless chatter of those around me. I realised that this also helped me relax. On top of that, the ever-changing sky and scenery are refreshing, too. In fact, during the two weeks I've been here, I've been inspired to write five or six poems. Although it is sad that I will be returning soon, I am focusing on the present moment.

I realise that the literary forms I want to write in change from time to time. When I first came here, I was working on my book. The last time I came, I was thinking about a storybook I wanted to write. Now, I am writing poems. However, I can adapt my desire to write and read to fit in with the few moments of peace I can find. Moreover, these moments are not dictated by compulsive urges, but by the moments themselves. How fortunate.

What I mean is that, although our environment provides us with security and comfort, constant exposure to it can be exhausting. This could be anywhere we are forced to spend all our time. Our brains inevitably crave new places and people. I realise that hearing this from someone who doesn’t travel much might not be very reassuring. However, even though I haven't experienced it frequently, I am aware of this reality.

Now, I’ll steer the conversation in a different direction.

I don't really like summer. In fact, I wrote a poem about my dislike of it. But the appeal of summer, which we also experience in other seasons, lies in its ability to evoke unique feelings. Yes, constantly sweating and needing to drink something cold can be suffocating. However, the brightness of the sun, a sudden refreshing breeze, or the peace that comes with a moment of silence are something else entirely. At that moment, something stirs inside us and we allow ourselves to believe that life could be more beautiful than we thought. Even if it lasts only a short while.

For me, such moments occurred when I took my Turkish coffee up to the roof terrace after breakfast and gazed at the view before me with my eyes half-closed. At certain times of the day, I would admire the sun's unique and magnificent rays.

This often made me want to express my feelings. When inspiration struck, I would write down whatever came to mind and whatever was in my heart, giving it a pastoral flavour. Each of my poems captured how I felt at that very moment. Of course, these were not haikus – I wanted to use plenty of words to fully express myself.

That summer I couldn't stand was enough to stir up my feelings, not in my usual comfort zone, but when I left it behind. I’d like to share the last poem I wrote as a farewell to this month and this place.

In the breeze’s cool whisper

In the cuckoo’s distant murmur

Calmness, serenity

In the morning’s sipped tea

In the crisp crackle of pastry

Satisfaction, delight

In the deep blue shades of the sky

In the tears poured into its all might

Beauty, grace

In the silhouette of faraway island

In the waves merging with the horizon

Journey, direction

In my soaring, noble flag afar

In the union of crescent and star

Independence, liberty, republic