Düzgü Poetry Compiled by the Düzgücü Şarkışla Mehmet Gönen

Abstract

One of the types of anonymous folk poetry is the prose poem. Prior studies have revealed the structural and thematic attributes of the prose poem genre and its relationships with other genres. This study aimed to reveal that there are also master performers of this genre. Therefore, this study will introduce Şarkışlalı Mehmet Gönen, a master prose poet, and his prose repertoire. Detailed information regarding the context and purposes of these poems will be provided. Mehmet Gönen was brought up in an environment where the practice of minstrelsy existed and held significant influence. He served as a teacher and mufti for a while then he became mayor. This enabled him to establish close relations with all segments of society. He employed prose poetry as a method for expressing his thoughts and emotions better in the context of these relationships. Another thing that makes him special is that he wrote down the prose poetry he memorized in a notebook and contributed to transferring them to the written culture. Accordingly, it can be argued that Gönen is both a source person and a master prose poet.