Statue’s Source
Ataturk was wonderful.
Ataturk was great.
Yet if Ataturk
was so wonderful?
Why did he drink raki
every night so late?
If he had been a
Winston Churchill?
He might have partaken
of brandy and cigars?
Copyright © Terence George Craddock
Mustafa Kemal Ataturk (1881-1938) was a soldier, statesman, reformer, founder and first president (1923-1938) of the Republic of Turkey. He was given the name Ataturk (‘Father of Turks’) by the National Assembly in 1934.
poem by Terence George Craddock
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Related quotes
Secular God
Secular, pertaining to the present world,
to things not spiritual or ecclesiastical,
earthly life, a particular time, temporal,
lasting, occurring in and accomplished
within a century, such a very short time!
Atatürk. Legendary Atatürk.
Source silhouette sustaining; noble wonder.
Atatürk legitimately stood stallion.
Among histories legendary; as a great leader.
Yet if Atatürk. In reality
was embodied God!
The Turkish Nation
Statue Worships States!
Why did he often drink alone?
Day through narcotic night!
Fallen to such a common fate?
Because a man for all that!
Feats required as resolute
Nation-Maker!
Are in themselves in truth
emphasis enough!
Without serving up sermon
ritualistic Godhead halo!
Upon embellished silver
sanctification sanctimonious plate!
Hail Mustafa Kemal Atatürk
a General a Turkish army officer,
a revolutionary statesman a writer,
founder of modern Republic of Turkey
first president of fledgling eagle country
enduring defeating sea aggressive invasions!
Ottoman Empire assaulted on all frontiers
Atatürk led Turkish national movement
throughout Turkish War of Independence!
Established provisional government in Ankara,
defeated all forces sent by invading Allies!
Atatürk’s successful military campaigns
led to liberation creation of new found country
to proud establishment of modern Turkey!
In memory in a grateful nation
Atatürk’s statutes statutes must stand tall!
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk stands
a towering figure of the 20th Century!
“Among the great leaders of history,
few have achieved so much in so short period,
transformed the life of a nation as decisively, ...
given such profound inspiration to the world at large.”
poem by Terence George Craddock
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Freedom and indedendence form my character.
quote by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk (24 April 1921)
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Science is the only true guide in life.
quote by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk (22 September 1924)
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Nationalistic Catastrophe Inequitable? No!
In New Zealand – (developing)
potential equals people
proven source sowing
shared future prosperity?
In Turkey rapidly
expanding masses
within relatively
limited land mass.
Is financially
exploited force separatist formalization;
shorn sociologically
suppressed resource regional degeneration?
Environmental economic republic ruination
potentially nationalistic splintered annihilation?
Nationalism to ensure
continued engendered capitalistic sodality;
maintains status-quo elite
puppeting manipulated republic reality?
Atatürk was wise enough to know
that political economic and cultural reforms;
an Age of Enlightenment was required
to transform the Ottoman Empire...
into a modern secular nation-state. Kemalism!
Atatürk’s radical reforms inspirationally
guided a fledgling nation with educational;
and scientific progress fusing enlightenment
positivism rationalism realism pragmatism
and secularism into a constitution sacrosanct.
Without pause without transition, the progressive
unfolding, the implementation of Kemalism; the
active modification of Turkish society; adapting
Western institutions with Turkish traits patterns,
to make them, indelibly a part of Turkish culture!
Generations of cultural and social experience, the
collective vibrant memory, of the Turkish nation!
Atatürk’s blessed social and political vision are
sacrosanct; must remain irreversible; indelibly
etched; into the Republic’s nationalistic freedom!
Kemalism decrees that in the Republic of Turkey;
all laws should be inspired by the actual needs;
of citizens; here on Earth; as a basis of national life!
Of all Atatürk’s wise sayings I still love best;
his concept ‘Peace at Home Peace in the World! ’
poem by Terence George Craddock
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Sovereignty is not given, it is taken.
quote by Kemal Ataturk
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Justice is the infrastructure of proprietorship.
quote by Kemal Ataturk
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Our Liberation War
the chief commandant
mustafa kemal ataturk
uproared
on his horse upright
rearing
armies
do not stop
go ahead
your mission is on top
your first target
the mediterrenean sea
the aegen too
atter the last
chief commandant hood
field battle
dumlupı nar
the 30th august 1922
greek left
many dead
behind
exhausted
bewildered
and retreated
killing women and children
and burning the oxen
our armies did not stop
followed the enemy
pursuı ng
on foot
some on horse back
the cavalry was the swiftest
the trains were whistling
strangely and prosperously
and happily
a little bit strangely
the people applauding
our soldiers
the enemy was swept to the aegen
in seven days
erected our flag in smryna
to izmir
our reign assembly
escaped in haste
with the english ships
what a betrayel limits
from there homeland
to england
those were hard days
great dayus
severe days
no turc must forget
our republic days were being emerged
atter the harsh field battle ended
chief commandant ataturk
looking at the dead greek soldier
lyı ng on the ground
and murmuring to himself asked
why did you leave your country
in your youth,
who persuaded and told you
to invade our country
sorry this is our homeland
we are supposed to defend
you have come as an enemy
not a guest
what a pity
for you for us
and for the history
but the fault is not ours
it is our enemies'
we find in our noble blood
the needed strengh
even if the world is against us
really
our has to live forever and eternally
our history writes it so
it was 87 years ago
ataturk has delivered
this mission
to turkish youth too
even now still
we have no doubt
to acomplish though
poem by Metin Sahin
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A nation devoid of art and artists cannot have a full existence.
quote by Kemal Ataturk
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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A nation which makes the final sacrifice for life and freedom does not get beaten.
quote by Kemal Ataturk
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Nationalistic Catastrophe International? No!
“In New Zealand potential equals people
proven source of future prosperity.
In Turkey rapidly expanding masses
within relatively limited (cityscape) land mass.”
Is political polar fractions force
of possible social degeneration.
Environmental and economic ruination
and potentially nationalistic annihilation.
Borders bound by troubled nations
potent potential threat dividing within.
Terrorist independence Islamic militant
Tear politically at hearts exposed neck.
Eurasian country Anatolian peninsula
in Western Asia Eastern Thrace
southeastern Europe bordering eight countries:
Iraq and Syria to the southeast.
Armenia Azerbaijan (the enclave
of Nakhchivan) and Iran to the east.
Bulgaria to the northwest;
Greece to the west;
Georgia to the northeast.
The Aegean Sea to the west;
The Black Sea is to the north.
The Mediterranean Sea
and Cyprus are to the south.
The Sea of Marmara the Bosphorus
the Dardanelles the Turkish Straits
demarcate the boundary between
Eastern Thrace and ancient Anatolia.
Türkiye regional power of wisdom
continue to guard your borders
with Turkic pride military muscle
stability in troubled region; heritage
of Atatürk leaves huge wise footsteps
PPK issues Atatürk would resolve.
New Zealand bordered by sea
an ocean of separation shares
none no such problems but our
blood mixed with your blood
at Anzac Cove on Chunuk Bair
heroes fell on both sides upon
Turkic soil in the bosom of battle
let your people now rest in legacy
of Atatürk’s peace; I lost not my life
but my heart; in four years among
Turks; blessed peace be upon you all.
poem by Terence George Craddock
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Ataturk sent several Turkish staff officers to Afghanistan, helped them build their own army.
quote by Bulent Ecevit
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Philosophy Of Kemalism
True wisdom embraces
the knowledge
that no singular mortal man
alone without the eureka
insights of God
given moments can foresee
past all the fortuitous
opportunities
arising kaleidoscopic
decisions repercussions
reverberate
through lives individual
effecting families nations
when people of power
impose their mighty will.
Therefore rejoice Türkiye
elected power is constitutionally
given to your voting people
this is a vision legacy given
by great father of a Turkish nation
blessing generations unborn
enlightenment positivism rationalism
realism pragmatism and secularism
imparted into a constitution sacrosanct.
This is the vision of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk
a philosophy of peace prosperity for all
a philosophy to inspire all future generations
a philosophy that should inspire
an entire world lacking refined wisdom
alas world rejects Turkic inspired wisdom.
poem by Terence George Craddock
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Winston Churchill My Kind Of Host
Let us party with Winnie
Winston Churchill.
Perhaps we might partake
of brandy and cigars?
I rather liked the wine tipped
rum flavoured cigars as a lad.
Winnie is my kind of host
Champagne Pol Roger.
Winnie offers guests unlimited
Champagne, Cigars and Brandy.
Champagne chilled a little please
room temperature simply appalls.
Champagne in the refrigerator
an hour and a half before serving please.
Or into the ice bucket with a suitable
ice-water mixture, at least twenty minutes,
before serving really if you please.
Ah a nice vintage-dated Champagne
a high-quality bubbly, let the bottle then,
warm up we don’t want to miss out on,
mature character of seasoned Champagne.
An awful lot of character, particularly
with respect to aroma can be lost,
when wine is served a little too cold,
a little too warm don’t you think?
Champagne and dry white wines of quality,
are best served at a temperature,
between 8ºC and 10ºC perhaps a little higher?
Perhaps you would care for
a Churchill Martini mixed?
Shake gin with cracked ice,
strain into chilled cocktail
glass, & garnish with olive.
Winnie rather likes to drink it while
looking at a bottle of dry vermouth.
Perhaps a Highball then Sir?
Winnie prefers just whiskey & water.
In Africa Winnie adds whiskey,
to make unsavory horrid water potable.
Yes of course Hine Brandy an excellent choice.
Distilled. As Winnie always says.
'I have taken more from brandy than brandy
has taken from me.' A health elixir!
Simply superb Johnnie
Walker Red Scotch.
Winnie is a good friend
of Sir Alexander Walker.
Yes Winnie is my kind of host. Winnie
truly is the epitome of a great man.
poem by Terence George Craddock
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Donkey Love
The new the new the new
crowd’s bay
its great its wonderful its fab
crowds say.
Future fads
espouse condemnation
deny past
has been prophets.
Copyright © Terence George Craddock
fad – short-lived fashion.
fab – as in fabulous.
poem by Terence George Craddock
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Cornerstones
Gibran left an Empire decaying
in ashes of former greatness.
Who will come as phoenix to nation
reborn, growing steadily in strength?
Moulding itself in virtue’s light
seeking crystal rays of clear vision.
Must many bring cornerstones together
for construction of a monument’s making?
Master builder cannot build
on gigantean scale alone.
To build an edifice to mankind
takes co-operative efforts of many hands.
How is it O Lebanon! Splinter cast free
of encroaching empires’ dominance
that war has come to tear your heart?
From heaven’s height O Beirut
do tears fall of Gibran’s weeping.
In your streets do your children die emasculated
stricken with hunger’s pain, diseases’ clawing hand.
Though exiled by masters of a former empire
Gibran never left you O Lebanon.
His body was ever cloaked with garment
of your ways his heart, ever full
with a father’s love O Lebanon.
Where are his sons Oh country of his love?
To comfort children of that love in need.
To stay bloody hand tearing a noble heart,
to lead toward prosperity and rejoicing.
Where O Lebanon! And where is promise?
Vision his awakened dream foretold overflowing.
Come new nations
of Empires ancient origin
as stranger walking streets
beyond antiquated walls.
Crushing inwards
are confining
mounds of rubble.
Future cities
have outgrown
their necessity.
In mosque and bazaar also pass
heralded, shadow of new age.
Paying homage to belief to tradition
which is upheld in all found good.
But swift and mighty be axe
to cut out cleanly,
creeping rotting wood.
For a strong nation
facing a demanding age;
Cannot stand
on weak foundations
time’s undermined.
Like prophets chosen of Allah
calming waves
of an encroaching hungry sea
are those enlightened
hearing the stirring of a coming voice.
When will you hear O Lebanon?
When will you gather fruit
prepared of your prophet?
Gladly eat of love’s gift
to lighten centuries’ burden?
Are not all races of man
starving simultaneously as one?
But then children
yours was a political
Lebanon’s problems.
His was Lebanon
of natural beauty.
Shrouds of ash and smoke burn
like funeral fires.
Hide face of the moon.
May wisdom’s seed blossom
in the garden of your soul.
Khalil Gibran was born in the Christian Maronite town of Bsharri in Lebanon, then part of the Ottoman Empire in decline, the remnant of which became the Republic of Turkey, under the leadership of Generals like Kazim Karabekir and Mustafa Kamel; who became Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Gibran’s mother was the daughter of a Maronite priest and priests taught Gibran about the Bible, and Arabic and Syriac languages. Maronite Christian’s spoke a dialect of Aramic and Christian Aramaic is still the liturgical language of the Maronite Church. Gibran returned to his homeland, at age fifteen, to study at a Maronite institute in Beirut. Gibran supported Arabic as a national language for Syria and wrote the famous poem ‘Pity The Nation’.
poem by Terence George Craddock
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Sad
What
a wonderful
thing
to
say
'S ad to
not to see you
even once
during
the whole
of yesterday'
left late
teacher
appreciation
had
to stay
hope to
see you
happy
and smiling
several times
today
poem by Terence George Craddock
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Honesty Wrote ‘Common Sense Solutions
Terence George Craddock replied
'And upon this declaration of common sense
and equality for all, I hereby nominate
Honesty as the only reasonable candidate
for President of the United States Of America.
And all the great founders and forefathers
of a once great proud and honest nation
with one voice rose up said 'hear hear we agree'. Amen.'
poem by Terence George Craddock
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Battle Of The Bed
When I cannot sleep
and I toss and turn
all night listless long
my bed is my enemy.
When I am absolutely exhausted
or really exceptionally tired
or on wet rainy dismal days
my bed is my beloved best friend.
Then bedtime
is a wonderful time
then ace I win
the battle of the bed.
Such nights and days
are wonderful times
and restorative bed
is the best place to be.
When I have aced won
the battle of home bed.
poem by Terence George Craddock
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Gulf Turkish Holiday Heritage
“To return at last from Turkey
with my memories safely stored
between thin clear plastic pages.”
This is all I save from Turkey
where youth beauty are service bled
lifeblood devalues faster than wages.
Its January 1991 Saddam Hussein
is finally getting his ass kicked; during
the war I remained in Istanbul but
a holiday toward the scud threatened
border was too cheap to refuse; strange
watching fearful flee direction opposite
alive adrenaline rush alive dead chickens
would give warning gas was about to;
claim take our civilian collateral damage
lives; but as written record reads scuds
were never fired into National Turkish Airspace? ;
and Andrew died of virus lung infection
a few years later caught pumping gas
at a London petrol station during cold winter;
weather we had but in brief in Istanbul.
Copyright © Terence George Craddock
Quotation from the poem ‘Turkish Heritage’.
poem by Terence George Craddock
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Thirst Wine Sated
happy cherry taste to quench
thirst from an ice cold chalice
is a cool move without malice
Copyright © Terence George Craddock
Inspired by the poem An Ice Cold Drink From The Good Chalice by Tai Chi Italy.
poem by Terence George Craddock
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