Famous Poem #4; and An Update

by Joseph Harker

First, we’d just like to apologize for the slight delay in acceptances; a few submissions were received at the end of October, just before we both had some life circumstances that needed attending to. So, honest reviewing couldn’t happen until November 15th; but we have now sent responses to those who submitted. And we are still looking for submissions, so if you have anything to send in, please do! Now that those life circumstances are over with, there is much more time to immediately review whatever rolls in.

Another poem today that may give you some ideas… this is by Turkish poet Nazim Hikmet.

The Cucumber
(Nazim Hikmet)

The snow is knee-deep in the courtyard
and still coming down hard:
it hasn’t let up all morning.
We’re in the kitchen.
On the table, on the oilcloth, spring–
on the table there’s a very tender young cucumber,
                              pebbly and fresh as a daisy.
We’re sitting around the table staring at it,
amazed
          thoughtful
                    optimistic.
We’re as if in a dream.
On the table, on the oilcloth, hope–
on the table, beautiful days,
a cloud seeded with a green sun,
an emerald crowd impatient and on its way,
loves blooming openly–
on the table, there on the oilcloth, a very tender young cucumber,
                              pebbly and fresh as a daisy.
The snow is knee-deep in the courtyard
and coming down hard.
It hasn’t let up all morning.