Original Poem
يهز الجيش حولَكَ جَانِبَيْهِ كَمَا نَفَضَتْ جناحَيْهَا العقاب (
Translation (English)
The army moves around you on both sides
Like an eagle flaps its wings
About the Poet
Al-Mutanabbi (10th century)
Al-Mutanabbi, born Ahmad ibn al-Husayn al-Mutanabbi, was a renowned Arab poet of the Abbasid era. He is considered one of the greatest poets in the Arabic language, known for his eloquent and powerful poetry that often praised leaders and depicted the grandeur of the Arab world.
Read more on Wikipedia →Historical Context
- Literary Form
- Classical Arabic poetry
- When Written
- 10th century
- Background
- This poem is part of Al-Mutanabbi's praise for Sayf al-Dawla, a ruler of the Hamdanid dynasty. The poem uses vivid imagery to describe the strength and might of Sayf al-Dawla's army, likening it to the powerful and majestic movements of an eagle.
Sources: https://www.alriyadh.com/152599, https://shamela.ws/book/17669/58, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arabic_poetry
Detailed Explanation
This line from Al-Mutanabbi's poetry uses a powerful simile to compare the movement of an army to that of an eagle shaking its wings. The imagery evokes a sense of strength, agility, and majesty, suggesting that the army is as formidable and awe-inspiring as a mighty eagle. The poem is a tribute to Sayf al-Dawla, emphasizing his leadership and the might of his forces. Al-Mutanabbi's choice of an eagle, a symbol of power and freedom, enhances the grandeur and nobility of the army, reflecting the poet's admiration and the cultural significance of such imagery in Arabic literature.
Themes
Literary Devices
Word Dictionary
| Word | Meaning | Translation | Transliteration |
|---|---|---|---|
| يهز | يحرك | shakes | yahuzzu |
| الجيش | القوات المسلحة | army | al-jaysh |
| حولَكَ | بجانبك | around you | hawlaka |
| جَانِبَيْهِ | طرفيه | its sides | jaanibayhi |
| كَمَا | مثل | like | kamaa |
| نَفَضَتْ | هزت | shook | nafadat |
| جناحَيْهَا | أجنحتها | its two wings | janaahayha |
| العقاب | النسر | eagle | al-uqaab |
Want to analyze your own poem?
Paste any poem in 180+ languages and get an instant AI-powered analysis with translation, explanation, poet biography, and literary devices.
Try Poetry Explainer — Free