Mariam Kh

“I can't promise to be
calm, dignified,
and indifferent,
like a rock by the sea...
If my heart's going to break,
let it break from anger,
grief,
or joy.

- To Lydia Ivanna”
― Nâzım Hikmet, Poems of Nazım Hikmet

“To visit a museum is fine,
to be a museum piece is terrible!

- Gioconda and Si-Ya-U”
― Nâzım Hikmet, Poems of Nazım Hikmet

“The strangest of our powers
Is the courage to live
Knowing that we will die,
Knowing nothing more true.

- In the Snowy Night Woods”
― Nâzım Hikmet, Poems of Nazım Hikmet

“Believe in seeds, earth, and the sea,
but in people above all.
Love clouds, machines, and books,
but people above all.
Grieve
for the withering branch,
the dying star,
and the hurt animal,
but feel for people above all.
Rejoice in all the earth's blessings-
darkness and light,
the four seasons,
but people above all.

- Last Letter to my Son”
― Nâzım Hikmet, Poems of Nazım Hikmet