Nazim Hikmet: The poet of hope and my journey through his words

Poetry has the power to shape our thoughts, to give us solace and to remind us that even in the darkest of times, light exists.

No poet embodies this more than Nazim Hikmet. His words have been a constant source of inspiration in my life, guiding me through my experiences—from my childhood in the 1980s, through my legal career, and now as a parent to my children Aaliyah and Aryaan, who in so many ways are the light of my life.

Hikmet’s poetry is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Despite enduring exile, imprisonment and censorship, his writings have never been defined by bitterness or despair. Instead, they radiate hope, reminding us that our best days have are ahead of us. His belief in equality, justice and the power of words is something I have deeply related to throughout my life, particularly because, like him, I was raised by parents who unwittingly had leftist ideals.

Nazim Hikmet was born in 1902 in Salonica (now Thessaloniki, Greece) into an aristocratic but progressive family. While he was exposed to privilege, he was more drawn to the struggles of the working class. His commitment to socialist ideals shaped both his poetry and his life, leading to constant persecution by the Turkish state.

His poems spoke of equality, justice, and the fight against oppression. He believed in a world where knowledge and opportunity should not be limited to the privileged few—a belief that resonated deeply with me as I grew up in a society where access to education, justice, and success was often determined by wealth rather than merit.

Hikmet’s left-of-centre politics cost him dearly. He spent more than a decade in Turkish prisons, accused of spreading communist ideas, and was eventually stripped of his citizenship and forced into exile in 1951. But exile did not silence him. Instead, it strengthened his resolve. Even from afar, he continued to write about his homeland, his people, and the belief that justice would prevail.

Despite his hardships, his poetry never lost its optimism. He continued to write about love, hope and the dream of a better world—a dream that still feels relevant today.

Growing up in the 1980s and 1990s, my parents, much like Hikmet, believed in socialist ideals, especially when it came to education. My parents, especially my father, did not come from wealth and were self-made and firm believers in education as an emancipator from poverty. They worked tirelessly to ensure my sisters and I received a good education and believed that education should be a public good, not a privilege reserved for the elite.

This meant that, like many children of working-class and middle-class families, I attended government schools. My parents believed that state-funded schooling was the fairest way to ensure opportunity for all. At the time, I never questioned it, but I did wonder because private schooling was a fashionable and status symbol. It was only when I reached college that I fully grasped the divide between public and private education.

For the first time, I was surrounded by students who had been shaped by a different system—one where opportunity was linked to wealth, not necessarily ability. It was a sobering realisation, much like Hikmet’s own awakening to the inequalities of the world. And much like him, it only strengthened my belief that education should never be a privilege—it should be a right.

Later, when I went to university in the United Kingdom, I saw firsthand how access to knowledge and opportunity was often dictated by socioeconomic background. This reinforced my appreciation for my parents’ sacrifices and deepened my commitment to fighting for justice and equality in my own way.

Hikmet’s poetry often explored justice, injustice, and the power of perseverance—themes that became even more personal when I became a lawyer.

The law, in theory, exists to deliver justice, but in practice, it is far from perfect. Cases are not always won or lost on the strength of the argument but are sometimes dependent on technicalities, judicial discretion, or other factors. There have been times when I have walked into a courtroom fully convinced of my case, knowing that I had the stronger legal argument—only to lose.

Much like Hikmet, who spent years imprisoned for his ideals, I have learned that justice is not always guaranteed. Hard work does not always lead to victory. The reality of law is that outcomes are uncertain and right does not always prevail over might. But like Hikmet, I have also learned that we must fight regardless of the outcome, because the fight itself matters.

There is a passage in Hikmet’s poetry that I often think about when I reflect on my work:

And let’s say we’re seriously ill, need surgery—

which is to say we might not get up from the white table.

Even though it’s impossible not to feel sadness at leaving even for a moment,

we’ll still laugh at the jokes being told,

we’ll look out the window to see if it’s raining,

or still wait anxiously for the latest news…

This is the essence of perseverance. Even when justice is uncertain, we fight another day. Even when we lose a case, we do not stop believing in the law’s ability to be a force for good. Like Hikmet, we persist.

If there is one thing that has deepened my connection to Hikmet’s poetry, it is fatherhood. My children, Aaliyah and Aryaan, are my greatest joy, my greatest hope, and my reminder that the future is filled with infinite possibilities.

One of Hikmet’s most beautiful poems which is my favourite perfectly captures this feeling:

The most beautiful sea: hasn’t been crossed yet.

The most beautiful child: hasn’t grown up yet.

Our most beautiful days: we haven’t seen yet.

And the most beautiful words I wanted to tell you

I haven’t said yet…

Hikmet’s poetry is more than just literature—it is a way of seeing the world. It has shaped my perspective on education, justice, and perseverance. It reminds me that even in struggle, life must be lived with passion.

Nazim Hikmet wrote at a time of oppression, exile, and persecution. But instead of despair, he chose to

write about life, love, and the boundless possibilities of the future. His poetry continues to remind me

that no matter the challenges we face, hope must endure.

And that is why Nazim Hikmet will always be my favourite poet.