MELTEM ARIKAN

When I cut off from the world Rejected Blocked Humiliated It’s excruciating Watch all of my idols die. Right before my eyes I’ve given up on my past. Upon the people I love In the madness and soil Of that earthy scene I’ve given up  All my dreams Upon the people, I believe. When I cut off from the world My heart apart Tomorrow will take me away. Far from this world No one will ever know my name. When days have gone by I'll close my eyes from this world. I wash everything away. Before I turn to dust No thought for tomorrow No thought for yesterday Watch everything burning The bridge is crossed,  I’m not afraid I face everything A time to surrender A time to forgive I wash everything away. Before I pass the point of no return In Turkey, before winter comes, we put all our summer clothes away and get the winter ones out, because the weather changes so dramatically. Winter is frigid, and the summer is scorching. I always enjoy doing that. I tried to do that in Wales, too, but this...

I embraced death I understood the cycle I lived with cycles Death, a door Door, a transition Transition, an end End was a beginning  I accepted this I learned you can die Even when you are alive Blowing away in ruthlessness Burning in lies Freezing in merciless spite I learn what is accepting Like nature Just how it was Death like life A part of us Our divine And you can die Even when you are alive…. I never thought I would find out what love truly was during my calm and peaceful life in Elan Valley. I would wake up with the bright light of the sun, the birds telling their songs. After morning tea, go for a walk, sometimes along the river, sometimes on top of the hills, sometimes to the forest, sometimes on the road to the internet point… I bring food for the birds and squirrels who accompany me during my walk. One of my pathways was covered with dead blackberries and nettles. The nettles which burn everyone only itch my skin a tiny bit. The nettles heal my shingles. But the season...

Lies, hate and ruthlessness It is conveyed mercilessly  Their poison spreads insidiously Sometimes I feel ashamed Of humanity of people Although they are not aware….

Words cannot give me a reality I learned this harshly They only indicate They only point I want to reach beyond words And I now know only nature can teach that to me…

During the time I spent in Elan Valley I thought, learned, created, and discovered a lot… Life is totally different in Elan Valley. I was happy to participate in two different events while I was staying there and they both impacted me positively. The first event was “An Evening with Alyn Wallace-Astro, Landscape and Timelapse Photographer” on 14 February in Y Star Inn. Andy and I went to the event together and we had totally forgotten that it was Valentine's Day. The restaurant was nicely decorated for Valentine’s Day. Before the event started, I had a chance to talk to Alyn. His Turkish was amazing and he loves Turkey. We had delicious bread and cheese, Cawl, and also a very special cake to celebrate… Everything I observed there was full of sincerity, simplicity and neutrality. It was interesting for me to see how people behave very differently to the English and the Welsh, to Cardiff and Valley people, to people from North, South and Mid Wales, even to village and town...