The Art of Marxism: poetry

Farewell

by Nāzım Hikmet Ran


Farewell
      dear friends,
          farewell!
I bear you in my heart -
in the heart of my heart,
My revolt within my head.
Farewell
      dear friends,
          farewell!
Do not line the quay
      waving handkerchiefs.
That is quite unnecessary.
To see myself reflected
      in your eyes
          is enough.
O friends,
      fellow-workers,
          comrades-in-arms!
Here is my farewell
      without a single word.
Night will not bolt the door behind me,
the years will embroider cob-webs
      over the windows
              of my house,
while I yell
      the Prison Song
          like a cry of war.
We'll meet again
          dear friends,
          we'll meet again.
We shall smile again under the sun,
          fight once more together,
O friends,
          fellow-workers,
              comrades-in-arms,
                            Farewell!