Wall of Love (Book)

Sevgi Duvarı is a poetry collection by Can Yücel, published in 1974. The poems in Sevgi Duvarı, written by the poet and writer Can Yücel, were composed between 1958 and 1973. The work holds a distinctive place in Republican-era Turkish poetry due to its treatment of both individual and social themes, as well as its original poetic language. The book occupies a significant position in the poet’s literary career and contains his politically, individually, and socially themed poems written in vernacular language. The first edition was published by De Yayınevi. Can Yücel (1926–1999) is one of the prominent poets of the second half of the 20th century in Turkish literature. In his works, he particularly merged folk expressions, slang, idioms, and everyday language with poetic aesthetics. His experience as a translator and his training in classical philology supported the linguistic depth evident in his poetry.

Content Features and Thematic Structure

Sevgi Duvarı consists of poems on diverse themes. Many poems, beginning with the title poem “Sevgi Duvarı,” exhibit intense personal emotion, while the poet’s political stance is also clearly felt. A critical, pro-freedom, and anti-authority approach pervades the collection. The narrative frequently employs wordplay and humorous techniques. The poems explore questions concerning human life, death, time, and value systems.

Linguistic and Formal Features

In Yücel’s poems, slang, idioms, folk expressions, and coarse terms are consciously used to achieve a direct and unadorned style of expression. The diction closely resembles everyday speech. Formally, free verse is employed; punctuation departs from traditional rules and is arranged to match the rhythm of the poems. Lines are typically short and impactful. Word choice emphasizes repetition, sound echoes, unexpected associations, and connotative elements, endowing the poetic language with a distinctive character.

Poems Included in the Book

1950–1970: Başkalaşma, Demin, Olay, Kar Havası, Palas Pandıras, Gün Yalımı, Zurnada Peşrev, İkimizin Arasında, Buluşmak Üzre, Otuzbirinci Nesil, Balat Türküsü, Caponcadan, Bir Numaralı Halk Düşmanı, Altı Kaval, Yurt Yazısı, Cehennemin Dibi, Andersen’in Masalları, Karabasan, Hayırsız Ada, Beşik Dürtmesi, Eşref Saat, Çoban Havası, Dinar Yolunda Devrilen Bir Fordun Şoför Ahmet İçin Yaktığı Ağıt, Go Home Hacı Go Home, Belkim Bir Kertenkeleydim, Sevgi Duvarı, Öyle Bi…, Babalık, Geçimsizlik, Pandora’nın Kutusu, Öğretmenin Düşü, Deliliğe Övgü, Çarşambanın Gelişi, Baharın Azizliği, Alea lacta Est (Yani Ok Yayadan Çıktı), İnsan Resmi, Kalisperanın Kalimerası, Danton’un Çaydanlığı, Voli, Ellerimde Bir Göztaşı, Keçi Boynuzu, Poyrazdan, Tavşan Kanı.

1958–1962: Hafta Sonu, Şiir, Tekerleme, Nuhun Kızı, Scotland Yard’a Havalesi Cihetiyle, Sivri Ada, Oscar Wilde’e.

1963–1973: Dört Dörtlük, Gitmez-Ayak, Yengeçvâri, Akdeniz Yaraşıyor Sana, Gidiyoruz, Kayıtlı, Sünger Dönüşü Fiyesta, Yiyimserlerimizin İyimserliği, Dumanın Doğrusu, Arife Tarif, Şeyist, Sevgili Gençlik, Cihat İçin Cahit, Ars Gratia Artis.