The Art of Marxism: poetry

Plea

by Nāzım Hikmet Ran


This country shaped like the head of a mare

Coming full gallop from far off Asia

To stretch into the Mediterranean

THIS COUNTRY IS OURS.

Bloody wrists, clenched teeth

bare feet,

Land like a precious silk carpet

THIS HELL, THIS PARADISE IS OURS.

Let the doors be shut that belong to others

Let them never open again

Do away with the enslaving of man by man

THIS PLEA IS OURS.

To live! Like a tree alone and free

Like a forest in brotherhood

THIS YEARNING IS OURS.