(Speech At The Launch Ceremony Of “Golden Bird In The Sun” And The Copyright Export Ceremony Of “Epic Of Eurasia” At The 31st Beijing International Book Fair)
By Nurduran Duman
I have no bad news to give you, Poetry
Poetry, I have
no bad news to give you
from separation to
such pain, from what cannot be to what is not
I did not move
to make it dark for you
I, the goddess half
of the country of being and nothingness
caressing and loving
the Sphinx’s paws, its marks and wounds
I do not leave
the world without a greeting
The dust accumulated
on my dress is only essence
bees from a billion
years ago brought tree hollows
this is my flower garden
put it in your jacket pocket
or perhaps on your lapel
Dear Chinese Friends and esteemed viewers of the Beijing International Book Fair,
I send you all my love and greetings from Türkiye. I am Nurduran Duman, a poet and playwright from Türkiye.
Today, I am addressing you with the wonderful news of my book, “Steps of Istanbul.” The title of the book may evoke Istanbul, but the poems within are not strictly tied to a specific city or geography. This book explores the poetic bond we all share with life: existence, unity, and goodness. Of course, there is a reason why Istanbul is in the title. As a poet who believes Istanbul is “the heart of the world,” I wish for this book to spread the energy of unity, goodness, and beauty created by the poetic bridge built between Türkiye and China, like a heart, to the entire world.
Before the pandemic, I visited China twice. I was in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Boao. For me, beyond being a poet, encountering this culture as a human being was an unforgettable experience. The friendship we established through poetry is strengthening and growing. I eagerly await coming to China again soon, to discover other riches of this ancient culture.
I would like to especially thank my dear friend Cao Shui, a valuable and world-renowned poet whom I call “brother,” who has been with me on this journey. It is an honor for me to walk shoulder to shoulder on the same bridge with a poet like him, who builds his words from his roots with the language of the era and and carries poetry beyond borders.
Furthermore, I extend my thanks to Beiyue Literature and Art Publishing House for their efforts and support in publishing this book.
The sky has settled in the lake
the sky has settled
in the lake, clouds are flying carpets
we stepped
we are stepping on the moon, its walk
we pass over
its dance, with water and time
hydrogen skirts
float away, flying
from our sides, from above us.
at dawn.
scattering and scattering
from cinnamon to blue, from diamond to bee
fields, gardens
we adorn the silk of the earth
we also learn
to sow and reap: light
I hope “Steps of Istanbul,” while strengthening this luminous bridge between Türkiye and China, also serves as an example to the entire world.
With goodness,
