Can I Hug You Once? Poem by Ayhan Diril

On the narrow pavements,
I get closer to a giant block.
My feet are so tired, I can't walk.

There will be no turning back,
nor any repentance.
Just a word not a sentence.
On the lips, only ‘farewell'.

Let all the streets be yours,
In each corner, play hide and seek.
These eyes will hide their leak.

Pick up all the joy of the kids
playing at the parks.
Keep all their smiles in your pockets.
Keep all the light of the moon.
Don't worry I won't come soon.

You lose all the magic
without my source of life.
Let me leave you forever
when the memories hurt me
like cutting with a knife.

Oh cruel city! You left me breathless now
whereas once you were the reason to breath.

I will never come back here, never.
Let me leave you forever.

In sadness I listen to the songs
that once I used to listen cheerfully.

Can I hug you one more time
like hugging an old friend?
Can I hug you one more time
like it is the last second to spend?