AFZAL SHAUQ’S POETRY

_________

 

Prof. Tehmina Afzal

 

 

There is much in my heart to say about the book of Afzal Shauq, which is luckily in English and easily understandable. Other wise I being the title designer of his few books never understood his language Pashto.

 

Shauq’s poem have a series of stories inside which has dominantly circled on Gham -e- Duran and Gham-e- Jannan but he tries to overcome these tragedies and repeatedly presents the only solution he thinks is the PEACE. Which may never happen in the human beings life because the MAN “Insaan” is selfish with having satanic desires to fulfill in cunning way since he had unfortunately been declared the superior in living creature as Azfal Shauq himself mentioned here in the poem “ IN THE NAME OF DIGNITY” p- 213/ “Twist of Fates”;

 

Small the Issue

by God …

 

In appearance

human beings,

but by nature

brutal animals

 

Not keeping our heads

like the ancient savages

with enemy’s skull cups

we drink their blood

 

His romantic poetry is also impressive. Here the following poem “UNKOWN BELOVED” taken from the “Twist of Fates” page No.117  is quite enough to be proved him as an Allah Wala poet of “Gham e Jannan” ;

 

How long the wait

for the beloved

yet unknown to me

 

Long has she stayed

at home in my heart

like God himself

 

Dreams in Afzal Shauq’s poetry have been dramatically high lighted in sense as the reality itself seems unproven dream. He talks about some things, which may occur in future but when and how? This is the only repeated question in his whole poetry … needs to be satisfied.

 

Hopes, beauty, blind love and trust in love, inspiration from human and geographical nature and struggle are the main subjects to address.

 

In addition to all, he criticized the worsen situations and behavior of human beings who are found in state of fighting and hate.. as he wrote in context with Afghan civil war and also worried about the adverse after effects and threats to humanity .. (Twist of Fates/ page No.164).

WAR FOR THE SAKE OF GOD
( In Context with Afghan civil war)
*****
Willing to quench
your thirst ...
Jehad..
The holly war...
Think you well
before taking the sword
And call for Jehad
 
Oh brother...!
Fulfill my last desire...
After killing me
take my bloody body
to my grave.
May my promised wife
Your sister
remain unwed
let no henna
touch her hand.
 
And...
Beware these well wishes
who offered up
this idea of killing
For our common good.
For Pashto religion
will never accept them
As a soldier of God
a true martyr.

 

The poet of Twist of Fates Mr. Afzal Shauq seems to me a broken person with hurt soul. Because there are a lot of poems found in the book of his poetry which are indicating his dreams, thirst and desires to be fulfilled… for his fully completion. That’s why he intends to be perfect at all his ends and also struggles to own every thing what’s lost. The following poem is one of the them.. (Twist of Fates/Page No- 389)

 

COMPLETION

*****

I awoke

Sound the sleep ...

The whole world

was paired off.

Every where couples...

But I was one ...

I stood alone

only my shadow

beside me....

Yet the shadow

gave me hope ...

I am in good company.

 

PROF. TEHMINA  AFZAL

Chairperson ,Department of Fine Arts

Government University College

Faisal Abad / Pakistan

tehminafzal_786@yahoo.com

 

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