Dut Ağacı

Mulberry Tree

This morning I wandered the streets of the neighborhood where I was born and raised
I wanted to relive my childhood this morning
And for a moment, I thought, I wish today had never come, I wish
yesterday had stayed

The two-story house on the right must have belonged to the Nezahat family
No, no, it must have been the Yekta's
Next to Nezahat's was the empty lot where we played ball
But where is the empty lot now, a bean field, or a stone school?

Where are they, who took them, who stole those beautiful memories
from me?
Suddenly, I saw Uncle Rıza again sitting under that mulberry tree
I ran, hugged his hands, at first he didn't recognize me, then in Uncle Rıza's
Warm hands, I started reliving my childhood

They used to live on the third floor of the house right in front of us
Since she started painting at fourteen, the neighbors
Couldn't see the end, honestly, they said this girl has become too much of a tango

They got married and moved two streets away
I asked if everything was the same as before
It's the same as before, she gained a little weight, that's all
Who knows, maybe being overweight suits her, what
wouldn't suit her anyway

I didn't like your color today, Uncle Rıza
Moreover, you look quite worn out
Of course, nightlife, alcohol, cigarettes, you don't care about yourself
Oh, Uncle Rıza
You retired from the general secretariat
His night and day passed under this mulberry tree

The last three grand viziers and
All the prime ministers since the Republic, he knew them by heart and would recite them to us from memory in our childhood
Do you still remember, I asked
Do I remember, I never forgot

She used to wear open sandals tied at the ankle
For some reason, it left a deep mark
I also remember those sandals and
The pink blouse with wide armholes
I remember the first time she lit a cigarette
How proud I was, my God
How she looked into my eyes for years, I lived with those looks
I slept with them, woke up with them, now who knows
Whose hands are lighting her cigarette
Yet, under this mulberry tree
I promised, I promised, I promised, it always remained just words, said Uncle Rıza

They didn't leave a single standing house in the neighborhood, along with the houses
The gardens disappeared too
Only this mulberry tree remains, if only they wouldn't cut it down
Suddenly his eyes sparkled
Oh, you're on TV or something, he said
Of course, they listen to you once
Tell them, go ahead, tell them
Not to cut down this mulberry tree

Actually, if he had a remedy on his knees, he would even remove the deputy
Uncle Rıza, but what use was it to the young ones
I promised Uncle Rıza
I promised not to cut down the mulberry tree

The price of living today without knowing yesterday was so heavy
To save tomorrow from today
I promised for the second time in my life
I couldn't keep the first one, but
I promised to keep my second promise