by Nazim Hikmet Ran

Nazim Hikmet is one my most favorite Turkish poets (the other is Orhan Veli). I can write so much about him. But I don’t want to. I want his poem to fill in all the space. So few lines with so much content.

Life is not a laughing matter
you must live with great seriousness
like a squirrel for example
I mean, without looking for something beyond and above living
I mean, living must be your whole occupation

I try to be that squirrel. Moments are my occupation. I hope, and try to fill them with beauty; and meaning. I then try to hold on to those moments, even when they are no longer. And smile. Seriously.