Nothing That Has Eyes (Gözleri Olan Hiçbir Şeyi) is a poetry collection by Zeynep Arkan, a distinct voice in contemporary Turkish poetry, that questions the individual's inner world, their sensitivity to social reality, and the metaphysical dimension of silence. The poet redefines the boundaries between being and meaning, innocence and domination, and power and fragility through poetic language. The poems in the work have a multilayered narrative that can be evaluated through both individual and social readings. Arkan's poetic approach moves along a line that merges classical sensibility with modern aesthetics, leaving the reader to contemplate metaphysical and ethical questions.

Subject and Themes

The fundamental trajectory of the book is shaped around the meaning of seeing and being seen. With the phrase "nothing that has eyes," Arkan questions both physical sight and the inner intuition directed toward being. Themes such as silence, innocence, fragility, powerlessness, and responsibility are addressed with symbolic imagery in the poems.

The characteristic verse structures in the poems sometimes progress as if telling a story, while at others, they are defined by stillness and introspection. A poetic structure that is both concrete and abstract is established through elements such as the body, gaze, breath, and space.

Narration and Style

Zeynep Arkan's language is dense yet simple. Without using wordplay or unusual syntax, the multilayeredness of meaning determines the depth of the poetry. Short verses, rhythmic repetitions, and unexpected metaphors increase the poetic power of the poems. The theme of "silence," in particular, is processed on both a thematic and formal level, constituting the central poetic stance of the book. Arkan's poetry possesses a clear and intellectual lyricism that, while not didactic, carries an ethical resonance.