"Lion in an Iron Cage" (p. 32-33) & "Today is Sunday" (p. 66) are both poems about Hikmet's imprisonment in Turkish prisons for being a communist. While the metaphor of a lion for an imprisoned man may be trite, the image he creates is striking. In "Today is Sunday," the speaker of the poem is allowed to go outside after a long imprisonment and feels blesses to see the sun. (from Selected Poems Nazim Hikmet Translated by Taner Baybars)
"On the Matter of Romeo and Juliet" asks if Romeo would still be Romeo if Juliet didn't love him. This would be a great poem to use during Romeo & Juliet, especially during the "a rose by any other name" section. (p. 145 Poems of Nazim Hikmet Translated by Randy Blasing and Mutlu Konuk)
"In the Snowy Night Woods" shares more than subject matter with Frost's "Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening." The death that is veiled in Frost's poem is obvious in Hikmet's, and students would gain much in comparing the two. (p. 176-177 Poems of Nazim Hikmet Translated by Randy Blasing and Mutlu Konuk)
"Welcome" is a pessimistic poem. Although it starts, "Welcome baby / it's your turn to live," Hikmet loads it with the negative aspects of life such as disease, accidents, and weapons of mass destruction. Students would be able to discuss how many of the negative aspects of life are man-made, while others are natural. This poem would also lend itself to use as a mentor poem, possibly one that is optimistic instead of pessimistic. (p. 258 Poems of Nazim Hikmet Translated by Randy Blasing and Mutlu Konuk)
Orhan Veli Kanik
In "For You" the speaker reminds the reader that the world has been made for him. Students will be able to discuss this view and the opposite belief that humans are just part of the world, not owners of it. Students who read and discuss this may come away with a greater appreciation of the world. (p. 44 I am Listening to Istanbul translated by Talat Sait Halman)
"For Our Homeland" is a very short poem (three lines) that shows the disparity between what people do for their country. It lends itself to a discussion about politics, politicians, and soldiers. (p. 84 I am Listening to Istanbul translated by Talat Sait Halman)
The inanimate objects of wartime are personified in "Like Us." The image of a rifle with mercy is a strong one, and students may want to discuss war and the reasons for it. (p. 85 I am Listening to Istanbul translated by Talat Sait Halman)
"The Flag" is another battlefield poem about soldiers dying for their country. Kanik's juxtaposition of a dying soldier and strawberry ice cream show the reader that each soldier is a unique person. In this time of war for the US, I think students would particularly appreciate this poem and the message behind it. (p. 86 I am Listening to Istanbul translated by Talat Sait Halman)
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