An Artist Date in Taksim Square

Aynur Kuğay


Do you really need that

glass, or cup

or the lover's hand that keeps

this one from shaking?

My guitar weeps too,

how convenient it is that 

I can comfort it

by moving its strings in the way

we numb the world

or rather, the symphony of its echoes within us

we don't go anywhere

but further from existence

I've taken off my shoes in Taksim Square

no one is really looking

I sit and order çay in that row full of men

finally, everything trembles

When finally the river flows,

my inner teyze opens

yes, even she lets go

and lets the glass be broken

*

Aynur Kuğay is a poet and songwriter from San Francisco now living in Istanbul. She has most frequently graced the stage as Chicken Mama, composing and performing original songs that contemplate love and nature. Her poetry has appeared in the Walrus. She was chosen to represent Istanbul as a European regional slam finalist in 2020.

Follow her process at https://www.patreon.com/aynurkugay

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