The late poet Nazim Hikmet (1901-1963) was born in what is today Greece (the city of Thessaloniki) and he died in Moscow at the age of 61, but he is considered to be the greatest Turkish poet.
Since my late father Mehmet Gokbudak hailed from Turkey and since April is National Poetry Month, I thought I would quote Hikmet who lived both an interesting and oppressed life.
His communist views made him a political exile in Russia, but today, ironically he is now the State Poet of Turkey and some of his poems are even revered by nationalists!
Here is today's quote from Hikmet:
"And, don't forget, a prisoner's wife must think good thoughts."
UPDATE_ There will be a poetry festival devoted to Hikmet at North Carolina State U in Raleigh on Sunday @ 3 p.m. The event will feature readings from local poets.
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