OZANSOY, HALIT FAHRI (1891-1971)

IN CANDLELIGHT

As the world becomes dimmer outside,

We plunge into a dream in the pale candlelight.
Grandmas made their lace in this light,
This light caressed each strand of their white hairs.
Girls opened their eyes in this light,
This light created the mystery of the stars.
The fear of darkness was dispersed by this light,
Babies fell asleep in its glimmer so slight.

White veils on their heads jasmines in their bosoms,

Many young brides undressed in this light.
In the mirrors framed with mother-of-pearl ornaments,
Many more memories were reflected in this light;
Many faces of mothers many innocent smiles,
Also lips curled with sorrow resembling cryings...
This light is not a stranger to our souls,
Our splintered selves are intermingled with this light.
Let this light shine even if it is in one couplet only,
At least it would bring to mind Nedims poetry.
White veils would parade in front of our eyes,
We would think of the lips burning up the veils.
With our wrinkled foreheads reflected in the mirror,
We turn our thoughts to death in this pale candlelight.