Prominent Iraqi Poets Throughout History
Iraq has long been recognized as a significant center for Arabic literature, culture, and poetry. The nation has produced numerous distinguished writers and poets, celebrated for their exceptional skill and mastery of poetic forms. Notably, these poets contributed to the emergence of “free verse” poetry, also known as poetry in metrical foot. In this article, we will highlight some of the most notable figures in Iraq’s poetic landscape, including:
Al-Mutanabbi
Abu al-Tayyib, Ahmed bin al-Hussein al-Kindi, was born in the year 303 AH in Kufa. He stands as one of the most important and talented Arab poets, renowned for his command over the Arabic language and its intricacies, earning him the title of “the one who fills the world and occupies people’s minds.” He famously described the preoccupation with his poetry in one of his verses:
أنام ملء جفوني عن شواردها
ويسهر الخلق جراها ويختصم
He is also referred to as “the rarity of his time” and “the marvel of his era.” Al-Mutanabbi’s poetic talent was evident from an early age, and he was known for his intelligence and precocious mind. Among his most famous and frequently recited works is the poem “Oh, the pain of my heart,” which begins:
واحر قلبها ممن قلبه شبم
ومن بجسمي وحالي عنده سَقَم
Ma’ruf al-Rusafi
Ma’ruf bin Abdul Ghani bin Mahmoud al-Rusafi was born in Baghdad in 1875 and passed away there in 1945. He excelled in poetry and actively published much of his work in Arabic literary magazines such as Al-Muqtafi and Al-Muqtabas, which significantly enhanced his popularity.
He served as a teacher of Arabic language and literature at the Teachers’ Institute in Jerusalem before moving to Istanbul, only to return to Baghdad, where he worked at the Higher Teachers’ Institute. He authored numerous notable works in both poetry and prose, including his collection “Diwan al-Rusafi,” poems for school children, educational materials, and lectures published in two significant volumes: “Lessons in Arabic Language Literature” and “The Noble Art of Poetry and Its Rhymes.”
Al-Zahawi
Jamil Sidqi al-Zahawi was born in Baghdad in 1863 and died there in 1936. Growing up under the care of his father, a distinguished religious scholar, al-Zahawi studied religious sciences and literature, becoming proficient in Arabic, Kurdish, Persian, and Turkish. This diverse linguistic background enriched his philosophical knowledge, enhancing the depth and strength of his poetic works.
He shared his poetry through publications such as Al-Risalah magazine, establishing strong connections with many poets and writers across the Arab world. His most notable works include “Rubaiyat al-Zahawi,” “The Versified Words,” and “Diwan al-Zahawi.” He also translated the famous “Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam” from Persian into Arabic.
Al-Sayyab
Badr Shakir al-Sayyab was born in the village of Jicour in Basra in 1925 and passed away at the American Hospital in Kuwait in 1964. He graduated from the Higher Teachers’ Institute in Baghdad in English Language and Literature, briefly teaching English before transitioning to work at an oil company in Basra.
His political engagement led him to Iran, where he became connected with the Communist Party. Al-Sayyab traveled for treatment across Beirut, London, and Paris, eventually being transferred to Kuwait for his final days. Critics regard al-Sayyab as a pioneer of free verse poetry, having composed his first poem, “Was it love?” which featured in his published collection “Fading Flowers” in 1947.
He left behind sixteen poetry collections, including: “Fading Flowers,” “Myths,” “Flowers and Myths,” “The Wind’s Lyre,” “The Drowned Temple,” “The Rise,” “The Ode of the Met,” “Grave Digger,” among others.
Al-Biaty
Abdul Wahab Al-Biaty, a trailblazer in modern poetry, was born in Iraq in 1926 and died in Damascus in 1999. Throughout his career, he lived in several cities, including Moscow, Spain, Cairo, Rabat, and Amman, before finally settling in Damascus, where he passed away and was laid to rest.
His poetry reflects a contemporary global perspective shaped by his experiences across numerous capitals. Al-Biaty authored many significant works, including “Angels and Devils,” “The Dilapidated Pitchers,” “Words That Do Not Die,” and “The Autobiography of a Thief of Fire.”
Jawahiri
Mohammed Mahdi al-Jawahiri was born in Najaf in 1899 and died in Damascus in 1997. He was raised in a conservative religious family, with his father and grandfather being prominent religious figures, which conferred prestige and respect upon the family.
Al-Jawahiri committed to writing traditional verse and produced numerous important poetry collections, including the beloved poem “O Tigris of Generosity,” expressing longing for his homeland, which begins:
حييت سفحك عن بعد فحييني
يا دجلة الخير، يا أم البساتين
Another notable work is the poem “O My Lord, Aid My Tongue,” composed in praise of King Hussein bin Talal, which starts with:
يا سيدي أسعف فمي ليقولا
في عيد مولدك الجميل جميلا