Open your heart’s home to others

The world’s possessions are not worth more.

Mustafa Özke, renowned poet, journalist and writer from Turkey, shares his poetry

Mustafa Özke was born on January 13, 1969, in Adana, Turkey, to a family with roots in Thessaloniki. The rich history and cultural heritage imbued his art with a profound soulfulness. Özke is a unique figure in Turkish literature, masterfully weaving personal and societal values into his works. His literary journey ran parallel to his career in journalism, which began in 1989 at Yeni Adana newspaper. The keen observational skills and sensitivity to human stories he cultivated as a journalist lent his literary works an unparalleled depth. Whether in his documentaries or essays, his works carry the imprint of lived experiences. Özke’s creations draw inspiration from the boundless horizons of Çukurova, the dreams of its people, and the resilience forged in their struggles. Yet his pen does not remain confined to the local; it serves as a bridge to the universal. In works such as A Candlelight in Pitch Darkness, the quest for light in the darkness is a metaphor not only for individual longing but also for humanity’s shared pursuit of hope. A multifaceted artist, Mustafa Özke has left a rich legacy in Turkish literature through poetry, stories, documentary scripts, and essays. In his poetry, personal emotions and societal realities merge seamlessly. Poems like The Slingshot and The Lighthouse narrate the individual’s inner journey while reflecting the society’s collective mirror. His works have also found a voice in music. Poems like ‘Is There Anything Like Istanbul?’ transformed into songs, creating a harmonious blend of words and melodies that captivate audiences. Deeply connected to the people and history of his homeland, Özke transcends geographical boundaries with his pen. His stories navigate the fine line between the individual’s inner world and the dynamics of society. In projects like the documentary Children of the Republic, Özke undertakes a historical responsibility, while in stories like The Hearth and Sand Trucks, he delves into the depths of the human soul. In doing so, he creates a bridge between the past and the present, illuminating the path to the future. Mustafa Özke’s literary prowess has been affirmed by numerous accolades. His story Lacework earned him the Hacı Bektaş-ı Veli Award, while his poem The Slingshot received the Kaygusuz Abdal Special Award, underscoring the depth and universality of his works. Mustafa Özke’s accolades include the 2018 Puduhepa Honor Award in Adana, the Hacı Bektaş-ı Veli Award for his story İğne Oyası in Nevşehir, and the Kaygusuz Abdal Special Award for his poem Sapan in Antalya. He also received The M. Cemal Şenadam Special Award in Osmaniye for his poem Nisan Yağmurları (April Rains); The Sennur Sezer Achievement Award in Istanbul for his story Karpuz Çekirdeğinden Entariler (Dresses from Watermelon Seeds); First prize in Adana for his article Kendini Sevmekle Başla Hayata (Begin Life by Loving Yourself); Second prize in Ankara for his interview Zifiri Karanlıkta Bir Mum Işığı and The Vahittin Bozgeyik Second Prize in Gaziantep for his poem Canevi.

Seyhan River, Adana, Turkey

To the First Seagull

Throw a piece of simit

To the first seagull that comes!

Watch how the others follow,

Defying the wind with resolve…

***

Heart’s Home

With its face resting on the water,

The cypress trees’ cool shade

Was loved by sparrows.

The coots,

Escaping the yellow heat,

Sought refuge in reeds,

One by one.

I learned,

A stone rolling in the flood

Never gathers moss.

And a human too,

They say,

Loves to grow moss—

If only they find a heart to cling to.

Be a sparrow,

Be a coot,

Be moss.

Open your heart’s home to others;

The world’s possessions are not worth more.

***

Photo courtesy: Pinterest

Two Cups

On my lips,

The ink’s blaze,

On my knees, the seagulls!

With you,

Even two cups taste different—

Maiden’s Tower in one,

A sip of Üsküdar in the other!

***

Secret

You were like the ships

Sailing through the night…

No one ever knew

You passed through my heart!

__________________

Published under International Cooperation with "Sindh Courier"