CHEZ FATOUSH WITH ORHAN VELLI

In Fatoush Restaurant

Sitting with Laleh ,Mostafa,Murat and Arezu

Encircled with other Turkish friends

Reading Orhan Velli*

While smoking Hookah.

It feels like Istanbul.

"I am listening to Istanbul with my eyes closed

First a breeze in blowing

And leaves swaying

Slowly on the trees

Far,far away the bells of the 

Water carries ringing

I am listening to Istanbul with my eyes close."

Zohreh and Fatma are sitting on the throne

Listening to Orhan 

while kids are playing around.

"I am listening to Istanbul with my eyes closed 

A bird is passing by ,

birds are passing by screaming,screaming,

Fish nets being withdrawn in fishing weirs

A woman's toe dabbling in water,

I am listening to Istanbul with my eyes closed."

Hassan had to rush to Flaming Torch 

To extinguish the fire at work

When he comes back

Ayesheh huggs him and kisses him real hard.

"I am listening,

The cool Grand Bazaar

Mahmutpasha twittering

Full of pigeons

Sounds of hammering from the docks

In the summer breeze far,far away the odor of sweat,

I am listening."

Bazaar of the East

Travelling in long caravans of Silk Road

And The West embracing them wrapped

In silk and rugs.

Cafe Istanbul is listening 

While hookahs are bubbling.

"I am listening to Istanbul with my eyes lowered

The drunkenness of old times

In the wooden seaside villa with its deserted boat house

The roaring southern wind is trapped

My thoughts are trapped

Listening to Istanbul with my eyes closed."

With my eyes wide open

I walk down to Aksarai

From Taksim Square 

To race with natives and tourists

Istanbul is a Marathon trail 

Racing between Marmara and Black Sea.

"I am listening to Istanbul with my eyes closed

A coquette is passing by on the sidewalk

Curses,songs,songs,passes

Something is falling from your hand

To the ground

It must be a rose

I am listening to Istanbul with my eyes closed."

Now Mostafa is sitting on ottoman

Telling fortunes through cups of Turkish Coffee:

Life is like Infinity Plant

A long road to destiny

And Zohreh and Laleh 

Are gathering ladies to take pictures 

In front of Istanbul Bridge

Or boats sailing in Bughaz, 

and Murat Nemat-Nejat

Handing me the last stanza of 

Orhan's poem in english to recite:

"I am listening to Istanbul with my eyes closed

A bird is flying round your skirt

I know if your forehead is hot or cold

Or your lips are wet or dry 

Or if a white moon is rising above the pistachio tree

My heart's fluttering tells me...

I am listening to Istanbul with my eyes closed

--Fara Soleimani

* Orhan Velli Kanik,Turkish Poet

1914-1950

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