Born on this day January 15, 1902 in Salonica, Nâzım Hikmet, a renowned Turkish poet, playwright, memoirist, novelist, and screenwriter, is celebrated for his passionate, lyrical verses that often explore themes of love, liberation, and hope. His poetry is laden with an intense desire for freedom — freedom for the oppressed, for the silenced, and for the misunderstood. Hikmet’s oeuvre is an encapsulation of his life experiences as a political prisoner and exile, manifesting a profound understanding of human suffering and resilience.
As a poet, Hikmet possessed the exceptional ability to weave together personal experiences with larger socio-political narratives. His poems are characterized by an unflinching honesty and a deep empathy for the human condition. They reflect his fervent belief in the power of love to transcend boundaries and heal wounds. His verses are imbued with a sense of hope; hope for a better world, hope for liberation from oppression, and hope for love that endures despite adversity.
In addition to his poetry, Hikmet was also an accomplished playwright, novelist, and screenwriter. His works in these mediums further underscore his commitment to exploring themes of love, liberation, and hope. Through his plays and novels, he delved into the complexities of human relationships and the struggle for freedom in a world beset by injustice and inequality.
Through his work as a screenwriter, he used the visual medium to bring his poignant narratives to life, enabling audiences to engage with his stories in a more intimate and immediate way. Regardless of the medium he employed, Hikmet’s work is marked by its deep humanity and its unwavering commitment to championing the cause of the marginalized and the oppressed.
Nâzım Hikmet’s poetry represents an enduring journey of love, liberation, and hope. His work transcends time and space, offering readers a profound exploration of human emotions and experiences. As a poet, playwright, memoirist, novelist, and screenwriter, Hikmet has impacted the literary world, affirming the power of words to inspire change and instill hope.
Loving You
Loving you is like eating bread dipped in salt,
like waking feverish at night
and putting my mouth to the water faucet,
like opening a heavy unlabeled parcel
eagerly, happily, cautiously.
Loving you is like flying over the sea
for the first time, like feeling dusk settle
softly over Istanbul.
Loving you is like saying “I’m alive.”
-Nâzım Hikmet
Curated by Jennifer
