Q. Explain the poem I Love You by Nazim Hikmat.
Nâzım Hikmet wrote his poems in Turkish. His works were first published in Turkish. Later, they were translated into many languages.
He is one of Turkey’s most famous poets. His impact on international literature is significant. Hikmet’s poetry uses strong images and deep emotions. This has led to his worldwide recognition and literary importance.
I love you
Like dipping bread into salt and eating
Like waking up at night with high fever
and drinking water, with the tap in my mouth
Like unwrapping the heavy box from the postman
with no clue what it is
fluttering, happy, doubtful
I love you
like flying over the sea in a plane for the first time
Like something moves inside me
when it gets dark softly in Istanbul
I love you
Like thanking God that we live.
Explanation of I Love You by Nazim Hikmat
Like dipping bread into salt and eating
Nazim Hikmet’s poem uses a simple, everyday action to express a deep and essential aspect of love. Dipping bread into salt and eating it is a basic, satisfying act many can relate to.
It’s something so fundamental yet comforting, much like love’s essential, nourishing role in our lives. This comparison emphasizes that love, in its purest form, is as vital and straightforward as feeding oneself—it’s both necessary and fulfilling.
Like dipping bread into salt and eating like waking up
at night with high fever
The line shows the intensity and necessity of love. It depicts a scenario of waking up at night with a high fever, representing a state of vulnerability and urgent need.
In this desperate moment, drinking water directly from the tap instead of sipping from a glass suggests an intense need. It shows a primal urge to quench thirst quickly and directly.
This imagery highlights the urgency and necessity of the action. It reflects a deep and immediate need for relief and comfort.
This imagery emphasizes that love, like water in this situation, provides instant relief and comfort, meeting a deep and urgent need.
Like unwrapping the heavy box from the postman
with no clue what it is fluttering, happy, doubtful
Unwrapping a heavy box symbolizes discovering and exploring love, suggesting that love is significant. Receiving the box from the postman indicates that love can arrive suddenly and without warning.
Not knowing what is inside highlights the mystery and uncertainty of love. Fluttering, happiness, and doubt reflect the mixed emotions that come with love.
There is excitement and nervousness, joy at the prospect of something new, and uncertainty about what lies ahead.
Like flying over the sea in a plane for the first time
Flying over the sea for the first time evokes a sense of awe and wonder. It suggests seeing the world from a new perspective, much like how love can transform one’s outlook on life.
The vastness of the sea represents the depth and expanse of emotions that love can bring. The thrill of being on a plane for the first time captures the excitement and novelty of experiencing love.
This comparison highlights how love can elevate a person, giving them a feeling of soaring joy and a breathtaking view of life.
Like something moves inside me when it gets dark softly in Istanbul
The phrase “something moves inside me” suggests an internal shift or awakening, indicating that love stirs deep emotions within.
The setting of Istanbul getting dark softly evokes a serene and beautiful transition from day to night, highlighting how love can bring about calm and peaceful changes.
This comparison shows that love can quietly transform a person from within, much like the soft onset of nightfall in a picturesque city. It emphasizes love’s gentle but powerful influence on one’s inner world.
Like thanking God that we live
Thanking God for being alive signifies a deep appreciation and reverence for existence. This comparison highlights that love brings a similar feeling of profound gratitude and joy.
Just as gratitude for life is a fundamental and powerful emotion, love inspires a heartfelt recognition of the beauty and significance of living.
This line suggests that love is a fundamental reason for feeling thankful, making life more meaningful and cherished.
