| CENNET VARSA EDİSON GIDER | IF THERE'S A HEAVEN, EDISON IS GOING |
|---|---|
|
Beni Camiye çağırma hoca Fabrika olmalı, tütmeli baca çalışmayı öner aça, muhtaca Avare kul ile bir etme beni |
Don't call me to the prayer-house, Father. It should be a factory; the chimney should smoke. For the hungry and the needy, propose work. Don't take me for an idle wight. |
|
Haramdan bahseder yan gelir yatar Mevlide gider duayı satar Abdest, Namaz der de Cemaate çatar Takunya giydirip yürütme beni |
He determines what is sinful as he lolls about. He goes to funerals; he sells prayers. He speaks of ablutions, of worship; he scolds the congregation. Don't have me go about in clogs. |
|
İlim sahibine Gavurdur deme Azdırdın hoca sapıttın yine Milletin sırtına sen bine, bine Ben cahil değilim tor etme beni |
Don't call the man of science an infidel. Still you have corrupted, Father; you have led astray. As you climb onto the backs of the people, I am not ignorant—don't try to catch me. |
|
Sakalı sıvazlar sahte şükreder Gider camide cennet vaad eder Cennet var ise Edison gider Beynimi yıkayıp delirtme beni |
He strokes his beard, he gives insincere thanks. In the prayer-house he goes and promises heaven. If there is a heaven, Edison is going. Don't brainwash me, don't make me go mad. |
|
Edison cennete gidemez diyen Muhakkak yobazdır bu haltı yiyen Elinde tespihi, Cüppeyi giyen Yatırıp, kaldırıp çürütme beni |
Whoever says Edison can't go to heaven Is surely a fanatic---whoever utters this crap, Rosary in hand, on shoulders an alb. Don't prostrate me and raise me, don't putrefy me. |
|
Edison şalteri indirdiği zaman Kesilir cereyan halimiz yaman şaşırır kalırız işte o zaman Şamdanda mum diye eritme beni |
When Edison turns off the switch, The current is cut, we're in dire straits, We're bewildered at that moment. Don't make me melt away like a candle. |
|
Edison enerjim, gece güneşim İbadet sayarım var ise işim Benim meleğim evdeki eşim Sen yerin dibinde var etme beni |
Edison is my energy, my night-time sun. I'm at divine service if I have work. My angel is my spouse at home. Don't give me life in the grave. |
|
Düğmeye basıp da lamba yanınca O anda karanlık aydınlanınca Salavat getirir sarıklı hoca Gözümü bağlayıp kör etme beni |
When he presses the button and lights the lamp, Then—when the darkness is illuminated— Father in his mitre says the last rites. Don't bind my eyes, don't blind me. |
|
DOĞAN'ım sözlerim hayınlarına Aman siz gelmeyin oyunlarına Vebali, günahı boyunlarına çağımızda yaya yürütme beni. |
I am FALCON: my words are for the deceitful. For goodness' sake don't fall into their trap. The sin, the crime is on their heads. In this day and age, let me not go on foot. |
| Halil Doğan, 20.09.1995 | English interpretation by Ayşe Berkman and David Pierce |
|
Notes:
1. Prayer-house: literally, mosque 8. Clogs: for ablutions. 31. Mitre: literally turban, which is one sense of the Greek word mitra; Herodotus uses this word to describe (1.195) the Babylonian and (7.90) the Cyprian head-dress. 33. Falcon: or simply Doğan, the poet's last name. |
