UMIT YASAR OGUZCAN
(1926 - 1984)

THE LEFT EAR OF THE GRAND VIZIER

It itches: the left ear of His Lordship the Grand Vizier
Like nobody's business itches that ear
The Grand Vizier is a most eminent peer
He thinks about the nation sitting here

Now itching is a function of the ear
And thinking behooves the Grand Vizier
Yet it so happens that in our land
What itches is the Grand Vizier
And who thinks is the left ear.

Translated by Talat Sait Halman