Sample Poems by Korkut Onaran

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Utopia Antica
February, 1997


Before we knew how to draw plans
there were towns and town squares
and before we knew how to put words on paper
there was poetry.

At that time our poems lived on our lips,
like kisses they travelled our senses.
We were naked then. Words touched
and warmed our bodies.

Before we knew all about our physiology
there was lovemaking.
We made love to melt the darkness and find
our way within the labyrinth of time.

We were naked then.
We didn’t need to know much.

---

Library Of Celcius
May, 2004, Ephesus


In those days
they didn’t know how to silent-read;
words made sense only when spoken
out loud;
only when they carried the heat
of a passionate speaker
to the body of a listener
literally,
physically.


Out loud even when you were alone!
But then it was like touching yourself.
That was why reading was social;
you would come here to read or to hear a reading:
as in any intercourse of that time, here as well
you would be either active, reading,
or passive, listening.


Imagine:
Several readings are happening at the same time.
Heat is traveling from body to body—this is an orgy;
you let words enter you and your mind expands.
The more you learn the more you open yourself
for more to reach into you; words
start traveling your vessels,
until your body becomes a poem
and takes its place in this library.

---

A Linden And An Oak
August, 1999 / June, 2017


The home of Baucis and Philemon
was an old tattered hut
at the edge of a mountain village
near Bergamon.
The hut had a face
similar to their own
with traces
of many years of hard work.
If you saw them attending their small garden
you would think that their life was tough
that it was harsh for two of them alone
to work their bread out of the land.
But I would urge you to look closer.
Their life had always been colorful
for they were granted the wisdom
of discovering, layer after layer,
every shadow in each other’s sleep,
every scent in each other’s gaze,
every sound in each other’s desires,
to such depths
that they could love each other and continue
to be inspired after so many years.
Loving one with such strength taught them
to love others as well.
This was reflected
in every corner of their hut
where you would feel accepted
and at home.
It was a fall afternoon
when two men knocked on their door.

They asked for some food and a place to rest.
“None of the doors we tried,” said the men,
“welcomed us in the village.”
“If these wayfarers are humble enough
to come to our tattered door,” thought Philemon,
“they deserve our warm welcome.”

A little piece of meat, a sprig of oregano,
and some cabbage
made a simple delicious stew.
With fire in the fireplace,
wine in the cups,
faces were smiling.
The host and the hostess were proud.
They chatted of memories;
how strong Philemon was once
and how all were attracted to Baucis then.

“But why aren’t these foreigners
talking about themselves?”
thought Baucis.
“And why isn’t this wine pot getting empty
although I’ve filled the cups
several times already?”
“Who are they? Aren’t they mortals?”

Baucis was right. These guests
were from Olympos.
They were travelling among mortals
in disguise.

But why were they there?
What kind of a test
were Baucis and Philemon being put to?
Baucis and Philemon did not know

that gods from Olympos
arranged visits like these
just to entertain themselves.

The gods told them
that they were disappointed
with the treatment they received in the village
but very pleased with the warm welcome
this humble household had provided
and therefore
the whole village was to be flooded
except for this hut
that was to stay on a miracle island;
a miracle island granted
for Baucis and Philemon
for their sincere hospitality.

Baucis and Philemon were terrified.
They asked, in the name of the whole village,
for gods’ forgiveness,
for they, with no village, were homeless
and for hospitality, if forced or priced,
is no more a virtue.
The gods were puzzled.
With a little bit of embarrassment
they told Baucis and Philemon not to worry
and that they were to wish
whatever they wanted from the gods:
wealth, immortality, power …

Philemon looked into Baucis’ eyes
and they whispered to each other.
Then, decisively, Baucis told the gods:
“We have always been here for each other.
Since we are still together, we ask you

not to take one of us first
and leave the other behind.
Grant us the pleasure
of holding each other’s hands
till the day comes for both of us.”
Gods were touched by this request
and provided a temple on the ridge by the house.
This was a wooden structure
to honor the humble.

After the gods left, Baucis and Philemon
were relieved. They started to enjoy
the simple pleasures of their life
even more.
They lived many years together.

It was one of those
soft late summer sunsets.
On the lawn by the temple
Baucis and Philemon
were sitting and chatting. The sun
set slowly. Then time
slowed down even more.
Words started to merge
into the evening breeze.
Baucis held her husband’s hand.
His skin! They were transforming!
slowly they moved closer
and hugged.

A linden and an oak
sharing the same trunk!
They were now rooted
to the land they loved.