“قلتُ: ما الشعْرُ؟... ما الشِعْرُ فيآخر الأمر؟قال: هو الحَدَثُ الغامضُ’ الشعرُيا صاحبي هو ذاك الحنينُ الذي لايُفسَّرُ ’ إذ يجعلُ الشيءَ طيفاً’ وإذْيجعلُ الطَّيْفَ شيئاً. ولكنه قد يُفَسِرُحاجَتَنا لاقتسامِ الجمال العُمُوميِّ”

Quote Analysis

In this quote by Mahmoud Darwish, the poet reflects on the nature of poetry. He questions the essence of poetry and its ultimate purpose, suggesting that poetry is fundamentally a mysterious event that cannot be fully explained. The poet describes poetry as a companion that evokes nostalgia and creates a sense of longing that defies rational interpretation. Darwish highlights the role of poetry in sharing universal beauty and the human need for connection and emotional expression.

Modern Relevance:

In this quote by Mahmoud Darwish, he explores the essence of poetry as a mysterious event that cannot be fully explained. He describes poetry as a companion that evokes nostalgia and creates a sense of beauty that is both elusive and tangible. Darwish delves into the idea that poetry satisfies our need to share universal beauty. This concept of poetry as a channel for introspection, nostalgia, and communal appreciation of beauty remains relevant in today's world, where the power of words continues to inspire and connect individuals across cultures and generations.

Example of Usage

Mahmoud Darwish, a renowned Palestinian poet, beautifully captures the essence of poetry in this quote: "I said: What is poetry?... What is poetry in the end? He said: It is the mysterious event of poetry. My friend, poetry is that nostalgia that cannot be explained, as it turns things into ghosts, and turns ghosts into things. But it can explain our need to share universal beauty." - Mahmoud Darwish

Reflection Questions:

In this quote by Mahmoud Darwish, the idea of poetry as a mysterious event is explored. The poetic essence is described as something that cannot be fully explained, evoking a sense of nostalgia that transcends words. Reflect on the following questions to delve deeper into the nature of poetry and its impact on our shared experience of beauty:

1. How do you interpret the concept of poetry as a "mysterious event"? What do you think Darwish meant by this description?

2. The idea of poetry as a companion that arouses nostalgia and defies explanation is presented here. How has poetry or art in general served as a companion to you in moments of reflection or emotional depth?

3. Darwish mentions the fusion of the tangible (making something a specter) and intangible (making a specter real). How can this idea be applied to the way we perceive and interpret poetry or art in general?

4. What is the significance of Darwish highlighting the need for us to share in the beauty of poetry collectively? How does poetry serve as a bridge between individual experiences and the collective human condition?