I was completely unaware that such poetry existed until I actually had to move to an Arab nation, but seriously, this is BEYOND amazing. Arabic poetry is truly brilliant, I wonder why so many western cultures are so uninformed about it? Perhaps because of the language difference. I asked a friend of mine to teach me how to read and understand it a bit in Arabic, it's much better in it's mother language. Anyways, let me give you a background: There's this Syrian poet called Nizar Qabbani, he's considered one of the best arab poets of the century, he mainly writes about politics and love, but here, this one is about love. In most Arab governments he's considered a rebel and 'the poet of women' just because he writes a lot about love. Whenever they get the chance, the government will try it's hardest to ruin his reputation. But the people here are huge fans. Anyways, without further a do, here's the thing I've been rambling about for the past 5 hours, hope you enjoy it! It's about him explaining why love isn't wrong. Clarification To My Readers; And of me say the fools: I entered the lodges of women And never left. And they call for my hanging, Because about the matters of my beloved I compose poetry I never traded Like others In drugs. I never stole. I never killed. I, in broad day, have loved. Have I sinned? And of me say the fools: With my poetry I violated the sky’s pride. Who said that.. Love is an enemy of heaven? The sky is my intimate. It cries if I cry, Laughs if I laugh And its stars Greatens their brilliance If One day I fall in love. What so If in the name of my beloved I chant, And like a chestnut tree In every capital I will plant her Fondness will remain my calling, Like all prophets. And infancy, innocence And purity. I will write of my beloved’s matters Till I melt her golden hair In the sky’s gold. I am, And I hope I change not, A child Scribbling on the stars’ walls The way he pleases, Till the worth of love In my homeland Matches that of the air, And to love dreamers I become A diction-ary, And over their lips I become An A And a B. OOO My love, A man who loves in my city is called insane For in my country.. They pair up love with the same rank as drugs and opium They hang people in it's name They kill people in it's name They write the law in it's name So my darling, I decided... I decided to master poetry.. And insanity!
I am happy that you took interest in Arabic poetry ... It's full of emotions and meanings You should learn Arabic so you can understand all the hidden meanings
Yeah, I'm trying, the language is a bit difficult XD But so far I think I can handle myself in a conversation. These poems are actually encouraging me to become fluent.
If everything is taken from you, Can you carry on and continue to function and proceed with a normal life? I asked my self that same question every day, I sit lonely in my dark chamber waiting for someone to use the key out side the door that curses me every day and testing me my patients and my resolve, But still I wait for them to turn the key to open that door that I've marked on for every day that my one true love will open the door to the light.
That poem is very beautiful, despite certainly losing a lot of artistry by being translated. It's good to hear that there is some internal opposition to the oppressive cultural elements in Syria. Maybe he'll have a hand in changing things for people there.
