Poem Salih Şeref Duran September 2022

Pandemic March

Fall in line, forward!
Forward, come on, forward!
There’s no going back,
Conquer the Corona!

Our task is to spread the disease.
Can such a strange duty even exist?
That is the way it is
I’m also on the same stage of existence…
Prepared for the Divine command, a loyal servant I am,
You’re quite upset, it’s clear.
My dear Sir,
Just to avoid saying it later, helplessly saying, “If only!”
Listen to reason,
Open the eyes of your heart wide,
Listen attentively, heed the command!

The Blessed Prophet says:
“Cleanliness is part of faith!”
A tiny body, like ants,
But a weight of meaning that the islands of heaven can bear,
If it falls into the seas, it can carry,
Don’t forget this lofty truth!
Don’t say, “O virus, look at your size, then advise me!”
My form is small, but my servitude is pure sincerity!

O you who have fallen into my grasp,
God’s beautiful servant!
Just stop for a moment, catch your breath,
Don’t mistake the three-penny coin for a golden leaf!
Don’t let delusions race one after another!
What did you think,
Taking precautions,
It’s just the first step, the first one to be taken.

O son of Adam!
Tell me then,
The overgrown Everest-like
Bully ego of yours,
In the fountains of repentance,
Have you washed it from head to toe?
Have you closed the doors of evil opening into blind wells with a thousand locks?
Come, don’t do it!
Please, listen to me!
Corona is an excuse, what does the language of truth tell you?
Purify your heart, cleanse your conscience.
Spread your wings with humility, make every moment luminous.
Pull away from that cruel ego,
So the Almighty Creator can open pure paths.
That’s when my duty ends.
Like a loyal servant,
I’ll return instantly.