Monica Wojciechowski
on translating Nâzım Hikmet
Due to what some might call an unusual affinity towards cucumbers, I was immediately drawn to this poem by Nâzım Hikmet. While it was the title that initially caught my attention, it was Hikmet’s descriptions and language (and the feelings they evoked) that drew me to translate the poem. The first line of “Cucumber” talks about the snow outside piling up, despite it being the start of spring. In a conspicuously similar manner, while I was reading the poem one April morning in Philadelphia, it began to snow outside of the library! Through my translation, I sought to replicate the essence of sincere (but slightly irrational) hope — for spring, for a fresh start, for change — as present in Hikmet’s words today as it was years ago.
about the author
Nâzım Hikmet (1902-1963) was a Turkish poet, playwright, and revolutionary figure. His political views and support for communism often landed him in jail, where he wrote much of his poetry. His poetry was looked to by much of Turkey’s youth as the poetry of the revolution. He is considered Turkey's first modern poet and was influenced by the Russian Futurist movement. Finally released from jail after starting a hunger strike (which was then joined by international figures), Hikmet moved to the Soviet Union, where he was very well-received.
about the translator
Monica Wojciechowski grew up in Denville, NJ, but considers Poland to be her second home. She spent this past summer traveling through Eastern and Central Europe, and she stayed with family in Poland’s countryside, harvesting fruit, taking long walks, picking mushrooms, and translating poetry. Nothing makes Monica happier than sharing her heritage with others; whether through stories, food, music, or language, she is always grateful for the opportunity to do so. It was not until recently that Monica discovered the captivating world of literary translation, but now that she has, she doesn’t plan on leaving it anytime soon.
