BIRHAN KESKIN
(1963)
 

THE WINTER OF MURDER
1
any moment lived for once only
harbours within itself
its own error never to be redressed.

they made me forsake my wings
they taught me treachery.

no other news.

2
I have lived like a whole split into two
one side of me an enemy to the other
on my right I've sprinkled burning sands
my left is cold with an old memory.

3
The candle: touchy. With its own fire
consumes itself softly.
You exist to melt away, believe in your fate.
Unnoticed when dying, you are time when light fades.

No love trembles forever
a candle dies of losing its integrity
and man of pain some day.

Translated by Nebile Direkcigil

 

Birhan Keskin (b. 1963, Kırklareli) published her first poem in 1984. Between 1995-1998, she edited the literary journal Göçebe. She has worked as an editor in various publishing companies. Keskin’s five poetry books published between 1991-2002 were combined in one volume Kim Bağışlayacak Beni /Who Will Forgive Me (2005) and her award-winning Ba/Pa was also published in 2005. Y’ol (2006) is her most recent book of poetry.