Çankiri Turkey 1940 Seen From A Prison Window I Poem by Metin Sahin

THE electric lamps are lit up
at the top of the telegram posts
in front of the WHITE HOUSE
at the edge of the main road
in the garden of the RECRUTINIG OFFICE
ammunitıon depot and the trees
I know
there are mulberry..acacia and plump trees also
and there must have been a garden kiosk there
But I cannot see them from here
It is OCTOBER one
the nights are not much colder yet
only the police whistles sounding
the road is desolate
in one half of the sky the clouds moving
that must be the ZONGULDAK CITY TRAIN
coming with rage..anger and in bad temper

in spite of the moonlight up high
in other half of the sky
I can see the stars
beside the mountains
the train passed from the iron bridge
its lights not seen
remained behind the green poplars
moonlight at the top of the roof of the WHITE HOUSE
there are shadows in front of the tailor's
the city has two sections
the ANCİENT CITY is below the CITADEL
in darkness
they burn kerosene lamps there
but in the city
kerosene is very scarce
the cafe with the maiden
has not rendered good job that summmer
on its dark windows
some strange sparkling dark things reflected
THE NEW CITY is near the train-station
its lights are kept among the trees