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East meets West in these pages, “The Land Where the Sun Rises, The Land Where the Sun Sets.” These are astral images galloping through my mind as I read and edit the rich and complicated verse of the poets from Bahrain, “The Cradle of Civilization.” There are scores of centuries’ myth and tradition branded into the blood coursing through the veins of these brave wanderers, Seers and Gatherers in the forest of word. Rich in archaeological sites, Bahrain is the famed and fabled land named Dilmun, the most important trade center in the Gulf region across the ages. Dilmun is known historically to be sacred ground and many temples have been erected there. The most impressive temple in existence in Western Asia is on Bahrain’s northern shore at Barbar. Ancient gravesites reveal the wealth, success, and prosperity of Bahraini ancestors. Primitive images carved on circular seals of metal, wood, and soapstone shells clearly indicate and define the purposeful and intentional spiritual movement of an evolving society. Mine has been the privileged and gifted see into these, the latest messages carved from the spirits of those whose heritage and lineage is yeast in the bread of life. If words were fission, we might explode in peace, conduct our wars with ink and discussion, fall in love with our enemies, forget and/or redefine what that word means. What we have to offer one another is a statement of peace everlasting. The work of poets is a never-ending flow of one-act realities, the one deeper sadness and epiphanies of gladness. Culture shock? Absolutely, I got culture shock. My senses have been bombarded by incredible lusts for life, spirituality and eternity, a continuum of that which is beautiful and good for all Peoples, forbearance for that which is not. It is clear through the words of these pages that we cannot embrace one without acknowledgement of the other. At times disillusioned of the American dream, I find new hope in the sometimes dark, ever deep, thoughts and words of these poets and the courage to name myself one. We have much to teach the other, the more to learn and realize together. Read these dreams, immerse yourself |
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in the fallible certainties and infallible spirituality of an old People. Theirs is the wisdom found in the blood of ancients, truth flowing from their dip-sword ink. An infant vampire, Child of America, I am glad to have drunk here, found deeper in this seasoned well of culture. Editing the incredible work of the poets of Bahrain is the most intimidating literary project I have experienced in my life. These Bohemian voices cry out with love of country, family, and life. They are voices strong and loyal, firmly rooted in a civilization thousands of years old. Much like tiny Bahrain, smallest of the Arabian Gulf countries yet first in formal education, they are undaunted, possessed of gargantuan spirit, hearts of blood and swords of steel. They have adapted to a nuclear universe astride snorting Arab stallions with their adept offerings of word. Odes to love and vignettes to battle grace these pages in a rich blend of poetic device. Parental love and respect, an unconditional bond to children, and homage offered to the wizened elderly are prevalent throughout. I am in awe of the Bahraini voice, find my own inspired in that space sacrosanct where the ink weds the page. Thomas SternerHowe |
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Published conjunctly with the Shaikh Ebrahim Center for Culture & Research Edited, compiled & translated by Hameed Al Qaed; revisions by Dr. Munira Al-Fadhel and Thomas SternerHowe; designed by Michael Annis Featuring substantial selections by 29 contemporary poets from the Kingdom of Bahrain. 192 pages, hardbound with dust jacket. 978-1-882863-79-2 Perfect for Middle Eastern Studies Programs Perfect for public and academic libraries Perfect for all lovers and students of fine poetry. Discover the verse, song, and poetry from the “ancient land of Delmun” where tradition places the location of the biblical Garden of Eden. |
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From the introduction by Hameed Al Qaed, editor … Poetry in Bahrain has made significant progress since the beginning of the 20th Century. It has passed through various stages, each characterized by its own artistic and ideological trends, concepts and social manifestations. In particular, ideology and literature, mainly in poetry, have been linked together. This process makes it difficult at times to separate them from one another…. a new generation of young poets emerged from the uprising in 1965, their temperament branded and fueled by its fire. These explosive incidents extended all over Bahrain, in its cities and villages, upon dismissal of a large number of Bahraini workers by the American oil company. They were stranded, with nowhere to turn and no way to earn a living. Strikes occurred all across the country. Students protested by not attending classes for over three months. The British army sent many young men and boys to prison without trial. This experience proved to be the internal combustion that gave fiery birth to a number of poets who began to envision the writing of poetry in a completely different way. . . . |
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READ SAMPLES FROM ALL 29 POETS In OMEGA7, the HDP journal of literature and art. Ahmed al-Ajmi Eman Asiri Hessa al-Buanain Ebrahim Buhindi Sawsan Dahniem Aneesa Fakhro Parween Habib Qassim Haddad Alawi al-Hashmi Yousif Hassan Salman al-Hayki Ali al-Jalawi Ali Abdulla Khalifa Hamdah Khamis Ahmed Madan Yacoub al-Muharraqi Saeed al-Owainati Karim Radhi A.Rahman Rafie Ameen Saleh Hussain al-Samaheeji Ali al-Satrawi Layla al-Sayed Ahmed al-Shamlan Ali al-Sharqawi Fawzia al-Sindi Fatima al-Taitoon Hameed al-Qaed Nabila Zubari |
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