{"id":18298,"date":"2023-02-07T11:56:32","date_gmt":"2023-02-07T11:56:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/parisinstitute.org\/?p=18298"},"modified":"2023-07-08T21:34:15","modified_gmt":"2023-07-08T21:34:15","slug":"im-on-a-long-and-narrow-road","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/parisinstitute.org\/im-on-a-long-and-narrow-road\/","title":{"rendered":"I\u2019m on a Long and Narrow Road"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

I’m on a Long and Narrow Road
<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

by A\u015f\u0131k Veysel (Turkish original – Sivas, Turkey)
by David Selim Sayers<\/a> and Evrim Emir-Sayers<\/a> (English translation – Paris, France)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

THIS translation is of the poem “Uzun \u0130nce Bir Yolday\u0131m” by the Alevi folk poet and bard A\u015f\u0131k Veysel (1894-1973).1<\/a><\/sup> You can hear it performed by A\u015f\u0131k Veysel himself at this link<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

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<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

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<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Forty-nine years on this road
Valleys, peaks, and deserts flowed
In foreign lands I seek abode
Day and night, I wander on<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

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<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Veysel marvels at this state
After laughter, tears await
My only goal, to meet my fate
Day and night, I wander on<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Also by A\u015f\u0131k Veysel:<\/h5>\n\n\n\n