The Inscription on the Gravestone

Nothing caused him as much pain

As his callus caused ;

Even his ugly existence 

didn’t affect him so much;

He wouldn’t recall God’s name 

if his feet weren’t chafed

but he couldn’t be considered a sinner.

What a pity for Süleyman Efendi.

“To be or not to be”

Was not a big deal for him;

he slept one night

and never woke up.

They took him, carried him away,

washed, received prayers, got buried.

If people he owed knew his death,

they would surely forgive his debts.

And people who owed him…

there were none anyways.

They put his gun to a storage,

Gave his garments to others.

No more bread crumbs in his bag, 

No more the imprint of his lips on his flask;

Such a wind that, 

He himself departed, 

Even his name left no trace. 

Only this couplet remained,

In a coffeehouse,  with his handwriting:

“Death is an order from God,

but I wish there was no separation.”

Orhan Veli Kanık

(Kitabe-i Seng-i Mezar)

Translated by Başak Ünal