Emrullah Alp
- Turkey -
Emrullah Alp, a poet of Kurdish and Arabic heritage who writes in Turkish, is an evocative voice in the contemporary scene, weaving complex themes of identity, time, and social critique with deeply personal reflections. Born in 1988 in Istanbul, Turkey, and connected to the ancient city of Mardin through his family roots, Alp’s background is as diverse as his poetry. His academic journey through Computer Programming, followed by Business Administration and Sociology degrees, reflects an interdisciplinary mindset that flows naturally into his literary pursuits. This blend of analytical and social perspectives is apparent in his work, marked by a profound attentiveness to both the internal and external landscapes of human experience.
Alp’s literary voice gained early recognition in Turkish literary circles, with poems and prose featured in a host of respected magazines, including Varlık, Çevrımdışı İstanbul, Yeni E, Kitaplık, Şehir Edebiyat, and Edebiyat Nöbeti. His 2021 Altın Defne Young Poetry Award for his collection Gez Gör Menekşe was a testament to his unique style and thought-provoking themes, earning him a respected place in Turkey’s contemporary poetry scene. His published works, such as İçimden Hiçime (2013), Kekeme Kırıntı (2017), Sanı (2019), Gez Gör Menekşe (2022), and Hediye (2024), reveal an evolution of thought, style, and voice, each piece building on the last yet distinct in its exploration of universal and local themes.
In his poetry, Alp gives special attention to the “economy of words,” ensuring that every word serves a purpose. His lines are meticulously crafted, with no excess language, reflecting a commitment to what he calls the “recorder of time.” Through his works, he aims to capture the ethos of contemporary society, documenting the socio-political climate, human responses, and personal interactions that define his era. This approach is evident in his choice of metaphors and symbols, which often blur personal and political boundaries, creating a fluid space where readers can reflect on both the particular and the universal.
Alp’s style is grounded in lyricism, rhythm, and sound—a quality that reveals itself in his attention to how each word resonates within a line, ensuring his poetry carries a distinct musicality. He strives to give his readers a sense of familiarity through his lines, evoking emotions and themes that feel both timeless and freshly articulated. As he puts it, his goal is to make readers feel that, “Even if each line written is not a sentence heard for the first time, it is said for the first time like this.” In Provocation, for instance, he writes of “Tolerance [leaving] its trust in the city’s heart,” a metaphor that vividly captures societal unrest through symbols of urban life. His use of elemental images like wind, rain, and earth adds a grounded, almost mythical quality to his work, reflecting his connection to nature and the shared cultural memory of his homeland.
Alp’s poems often reject linear narratives, preferring abstract metaphors and fragmented images instead. In Pronouncement, he writes, “Every word I spoke was a whistle... / The day is rain. / Whatever is bound to happen, happens now,” skillfully capturing a sense of temporal suspension where meaning is conveyed not through explicit description, but through a dreamlike tapestry of images. His language can feel at once accessible and cryptic, inviting readers to delve deeper into its layered meanings. This style invites a close reading and a willingness to engage with the emotions beneath the words—a hallmark of Alp’s poetic vision.
Personal and political themes often merge seamlessly in Alp’s poetry, speaking to his experience as an artist navigating the complex landscape of contemporary Turkey. His poems reflect the social tensions, struggles, and hopes of his generation, while also touching on themes of displacement, nostalgia, and identity. In Fall, a poem from Gez Gör Menekşe, he depicts a scene of forced migration: “Children and elderly / Lambs and sheep / Altogether / They drove us out.” Through these lines, Alp captures the vulnerability of individuals caught in a larger, often oppressive social machine, evoking a collective yet profoundly personal sense of loss and resilience.
In Arising From, one of his more intimate poems, Alp writes, “With a single hello formed from your voice, / A dreamer painter springs forth from me,” blending delicate, romantic imagery with spiritual undertones. The poem reflects Alp’s belief in the power of love and connection, even as it acknowledges the impossibility of fully capturing another’s essence. These themes of yearning, incompleteness, and reverence for human connection run throughout his work, underscoring his poetic mission to explore the raw and unspoken dimensions of human experience.
Emrullah Alp’s poetry is both a mirror and a magnifying glass, reflecting the socio-political currents of Turkey while delving into the deeply personal realms of memory, love, and loss. His voice remains a powerful testament to the resilience of poetry in the face of change, offering readers not only a glimpse into his world but an invitation to witness their own complexities.
Apart from his written work, Alp is also deeply involved in the cultural fabric of Turkey. As a co-founder of the Yirmibirmart Culture and Arts Platform, he promotes engagement with literature and art, fostering dialogues that enrich Turkish culture. His volunteer work in recording audiobooks for the visually impaired demonstrates his commitment to accessibility, embodying his belief in literature as a unifying and inclusive force. He is a member of the Organization Committee of one of Turkey’s most prominent poetry festivals, ISTANBUL OFFLINE. Alp’s dedication to making literature accessible highlights his view of poetry as an artistic expression and vehicle for social connection and empathy.
Poetry
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The Sky Comma / Gökyüzü Virgülü
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The Fall / Düşüş
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Supposition / (Untitled)
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Eyewitness Traces / Göz İzleri
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Provocation / Kışkırtma
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Remember / Hatırla
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Pronouncement / Tefhim
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Causation / mütevellit
