Nazim Hikmet

Nazim Hikmet (1902-1963) was a Turkish poet, playwright, and novelist. He introduced free verse and was controversial for socially engaged poetry and his pro Communist political views. The Epic of Sheik Bedreddin is his most famous work. The Turkish government views him with suspicion but was praised by European and American poets. He was arrested in 1938 and released in 1950. After that he moved to Soviet Union.

Wisdom & Quotes

• When the light of the star which flows into my eyes as a drop of gold first pierced the darkness in space, there was not a single eye on earth looking at the sky...

- Benerci nicin kendini oldurdu (Why Banerjea Killed Himself)

• In the dim light of my last dawn I will see my friends and you

and I will only take to my grave
the sorrow of an unfinished song.
- Letter from Prison

• That's how it goes, my friend.

The problem is not falling a captive, it's how to avoid surrender.
- That's How It Goes

• We can only reach our goal amid bloodletting

The life of man is long, perhaps longer than necessary
Or perhaps it is shorter than necessary?

Tawfiq al-Hakim