FREE
We live free
Air is free, clouds are free
Valleys and hills are free
Rain and mud are free
The outside of cars
The entrances of cinemas
And the shop windows are free
Bread and cheese cost money
But stale water is free
Freedom can cost your head
But prison is free
We live free
Orhan Veli Kanik
Translated by Bernard Lewis (1982)
BEDAVA
Bedava yasiyoruz, bedava;
Hava bedava, bulut bedava;
Dere tepe bedava;
Yagmur camur bedava;
Otomobillerin disi,
Sinamalarin kapisi,
Camekanlar bedava;
Peynir ekmek degil ama
Aci su bedava;
Kelle fiyatina hurriyet,
Esirlik bedava;
Bedava yasiyoruz, bedava.
Orhan Veli