Lost In Translation

[Cem]

This may seem like a pointless endeavour to many, but I've wanted to post some poetry by Orhan Veli Kanik (Turkish poet, b.1914, d.1950) for a while, but feared much would be lost in translation. Maybe Gokhan & others can decide. Meanwhile, feel free to post anything you feel is worthwhile. Either your translation or someone else's.

Illusion (in Turkish)
by Orhan Veli Kanik

Eski bir sevdadan kurtulmusum;
Artik bütün kadinlar güzel;
Gömlegim yeni,
Yikanmisim,
Tras olmusum;
Sulh olmus.
Bahar gelmis.
Günes açmis.
Sokaga çikmisim, insanlar rahat;
Ben de rahatim.

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Illusion (my translation)

I've just washed my hands clean of an old love;
Now all women are beautiful;
My shirt is new,
I've bathed,
Shaved;
There's peace.
Spring is here.
Sun is shining.
I'm out on the street, people are content;
So am I.

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ILLUSION (translation by Talat Sait Halman)

I am over an old love:
Now all the woman are pretty,
My shirt is brand new,
I took a bath
And shaved.
Peace is here,
Spring in the air,
The sun is out.
I'm in the street; people are cherful;
I'm cheerful too.

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ILLUSION (may be my favourite translation, translator unknown)
I've got rid of an old love
from now on, all woman are beautiful
my shirt is new
I have washed
and shaved,
the war is over
spring has come
the sun is shining
I am out in the streets
everybody is peaceful
and so am I