'On Living' by Nazim Hikmet


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I

Living is no laughing matter:
you must live with great seriousness
like a squirrel, for example--
I mean without looking for something beyond and above living,
I mean living must be your whole occupation.
Living is no laughing matter:
you must take it seriously,
so much so and to such a degree
that, for example, your hands tied behind your back,
your back to the wall,
or else in a laboratory
in your white coat and safety glasses,
you can die for people--
even for people whose faces you've never seen,
even though you know living
is the most real, the most beautiful thing.
I mean, you must take living so seriously
that even at seventy, for example, you'll plant olive trees--
and not for your children, either,
but because although you fear death you don't believe it,
because living, I mean, weighs heavier.


II

Let's say you're seriously ill, need surgery--
which is to say we might not get
from the white table.
Even though it's impossible not to feel sad
about going a little too soon,
we'll still laugh at the jokes being told,
we'll look out the window to see it's raining,
or still wait anxiously
for the latest newscast ...
Let's say we're at the front--
for something worth fighting for, say.
There, in the first offensive, on that very day,
we might fall on our face, dead.
We'll know this with a curious anger,
but we'll still worry ourselves to death
about the outcome of the war, which could last years.
Let's say we're in prison
and close to fifty,
and we have eighteen more years, say,
before the iron doors will open.
We'll still live with the outside,
with its people and animals, struggle and wind--
I mean with the outside beyond the walls.
I mean, however and wherever we are,
we must live as if we will never die.


III

This earth will grow cold,
a star among stars
and one of the smallest,
a gilded mote on blue velvet--
I mean this, our great earth.
This earth will grow cold one day,
not like a block of ice
or a dead cloud even
but like an empty walnut it will roll along
in pitch-black space ...
You must grieve for this right now
--you have to feel this sorrow now--
for the world must be loved this much
if you're going to say "I lived" ...



Trans. by Randy Blasing and Mutlu Konuk (1993)

Editor 1 Interpretation

Interpretation and Analysis of Nazim Hikmet’s “On Living”

Nazim Hikmet is a Turkish poet and playwright who lived between 1902 and 1963. He is considered one of the most influential Turkish poets of the 20th century, and his work has been translated into numerous languages. His poem, “On Living,” is a powerful and profound reflection on the human condition, and it has resonated with readers around the world. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the themes, literary devices, and symbolism used by Hikmet in “On Living.”

Themes

“On Living” is a poem that explores the themes of mortality, the passing of time, and the human experience. Throughout the poem, Hikmet reflects on the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death. He speaks of the “clock of life” ticking away and of the “silent river of time” that carries us all towards our ultimate fate. Hikmet also reflects on the human experience, describing how we all have a “common fate” and how we are all connected by our shared experiences of love, loss, and pain.

One of the most striking aspects of “On Living” is its emphasis on the importance of living life to the fullest. Hikmet writes, “live, so that when the final summons comes you will leave something more behind than an epitaph.” This line captures the essence of the poem's message: that life is fleeting and that we must make the most of the time we have. Hikmet encourages us to embrace life, to take risks, to love deeply, and to pursue our passions.

Literary Devices

Hikmet uses a variety of literary devices in “On Living” to convey his message. One of the most prominent devices is repetition. Throughout the poem, Hikmet repeats certain phrases and images to emphasize their significance. For example, he repeats the phrase “the clock of life” several times, which serves to reinforce the idea that time is ticking away and that we must make the most of our lives.

Another important device used by Hikmet is metaphor. He compares life to a “silent river” and to a “forest on fire.” These metaphors are powerful because they help us to visualize and understand the fleeting nature of life. The image of a river flowing silently towards its destination is a poignant reminder of our own mortality, while the metaphor of a forest on fire reminds us of the urgency and intensity with which we must live our lives.

Hikmet also uses imagery to great effect in “On Living.” One of the most striking images in the poem is the description of the “golden butterfly” that flits from flower to flower. This image captures the beauty and transience of life, and it serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of cherishing every moment.

Symbolism

“On Living” is rich with symbolism, and Hikmet uses these symbols to convey deeper meaning. One of the most important symbols in the poem is the clock. The clock represents the passage of time and the inevitability of death. Hikmet writes, “the clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power to tell just when the hands will stop, at late or early hour.” This line serves as a reminder that our time on earth is limited and that we must make the most of it.

Another important symbol in the poem is the butterfly. The butterfly represents the beauty and fragility of life. Hikmet writes, “the golden butterfly was gone like a dream.” This line serves as a reminder that life is fleeting and that we must appreciate its beauty while we can.

Conclusion

“On Living” is a powerful and moving poem that speaks to the human experience in a profound way. Through his use of repetition, metaphor, imagery, and symbolism, Nazim Hikmet conveys a message of the importance of living life to the fullest. He reminds us that life is fleeting, that time is ticking away, and that we must make the most of every moment. This poem has resonated with readers around the world, and it continues to inspire us to live our lives with passion, purpose, and joy.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

On Living: A Poem of Hope and Resilience

Nazim Hikmet's poem "On Living" is a powerful and inspiring piece of literature that speaks to the human experience of struggle, perseverance, and hope. Written in 1948, during a time of great political and social upheaval in Turkey, the poem reflects the poet's own experiences of imprisonment and exile, as well as his deep commitment to social justice and human dignity.

At its core, "On Living" is a celebration of life and the human spirit. It is a call to action, urging us to embrace the challenges and opportunities of life with courage, compassion, and a sense of purpose. The poem is divided into three parts, each of which explores a different aspect of the human experience.

The first part of the poem is a reflection on the fragility of life and the inevitability of death. Hikmet writes:

"I mean, you must take living so seriously that even at seventy, for example, you'll plant olive trees— and not for your children, either, but because although you fear death you don't believe it, because living, I mean, weighs heavier."

Here, Hikmet is urging us to take life seriously, to live it to the fullest, and to embrace the challenges and joys that come with it. He reminds us that life is short and that we must make the most of it while we can. He also suggests that the fear of death should not hold us back from living fully, but rather should inspire us to make the most of the time we have.

The second part of the poem is a reflection on the human experience of suffering and struggle. Hikmet writes:

"Sometimes I hear the wind blowing fiercely, sometimes I see the stars falling like rain, sometimes I feel like I'm drowning in my own blood— and I don't know if I'm alive or dead."

Here, Hikmet is acknowledging the reality of human suffering and the challenges that we all face in life. He suggests that we must be prepared to face these challenges with courage and resilience, even when it feels like we are drowning in our own blood. He also suggests that these struggles are a part of the human experience and that we must embrace them as such.

The third and final part of the poem is a reflection on the power of hope and the human capacity for resilience. Hikmet writes:

"But I'm still alive, and I still believe in the future, because I believe in people and in the goodness of creation. And I believe that someday we'll come to a place where the sun shines on every window, and the laughter of children fills the air."

Here, Hikmet is expressing his faith in the human spirit and his belief in the power of hope. He suggests that even in the darkest of times, we must hold onto the belief that things can get better, and that we have the capacity to make them so. He also suggests that this hope is grounded in our belief in the goodness of creation and in the power of human connection.

Overall, "On Living" is a powerful and inspiring poem that speaks to the human experience of struggle, perseverance, and hope. It is a call to action, urging us to embrace the challenges and opportunities of life with courage, compassion, and a sense of purpose. It is a reminder that life is short and that we must make the most of it while we can, and that even in the darkest of times, we must hold onto the belief that things can get better. It is a celebration of life and the human spirit, and a testament to the power of hope and resilience.

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