I’m on a Long and Narrow Road

by Aşık Veysel (Turkish original – Sivas, Turkey)
by David Selim Sayers and Evrim Emir-Sayers (English translation – Paris, France)

THIS translation is of the poem “Uzun İnce Bir Yoldayım” by the Alevi folk poet and bard Aşık Veysel (1894-1973).¹ You can hear it performed by Aşık Veysel himself at this link.

I’m on a long and narrow road
Day and night, I wander on
What state I’m in, I do not know
Day and night, I wander on

From when into this world I came
I started walking all the same
But two doors has this inn, for shame
Day and night, I wander on

Asleep or not, I’m on my way
I look for grounds on which to stay
While watching others walk away
Day and night, I wander on

Forty-nine years on this road
Valleys, peaks, and deserts flowed
In foreign lands I seek abode
Day and night, I wander on

If you take the time to think
It seems so far your heart may sink
But you’ll arrive before you blink
Day and night, I wander on

Veysel marvels at this state
After laughter, tears await
My only goal, to meet my fate
Day and night, I wander on

Also by Aşık Veysel:

• Dark Earth
• Let My Friends Remember Me
• The One Who Sees This World Is You

^{1. The word aşık (Arabic for “lover”) denotes a wandering bard inspired by mystical love.↑}