Original Poem
مدَادُ مِنلُ خَافِيةِ الْغُرَابِ وأَقْلامٌ كَمُرْ هَفَةِ الْحِدَادِ (۱)
Translation (English)
Ink from the raven's feather
And pens as sharp as the blacksmith's edge
About the Poet
الحسن بن وهب (Classical Arabic Poetry)
Al-Hasan ibn Wahb was a classical Arabic poet known for his eloquent and vivid imagery. His works often explore themes of nature and beauty, using rich metaphors and similes.
Historical Context
- Literary Form
- Classical Arabic Poetry
- When Written
- Classical period
- Background
- This poem uses vivid imagery to describe the beauty and precision of writing tools, drawing parallels between natural elements and crafted objects.
Sources: http://www.al-eman.com/الكتب/أدب+الكتاب+***/الحبر+واشتقاقه/i331&d262034&c&p1, https://poetsgate.com/poem.php?pm=93307, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arabic_poetry
Detailed Explanation
This poem by Al-Hasan ibn Wahb uses vivid imagery to describe the tools of writing. The ink is compared to the dark, glossy feather of a raven, emphasizing its deep black color and smooth texture. The pens are likened to the sharp blades crafted by a blacksmith, highlighting their precision and effectiveness. Through these comparisons, the poet elevates the act of writing to an art form, where the tools themselves are as beautiful and powerful as the words they create. This reflects the classical Arabic tradition of valuing eloquence and the written word.
Themes
Literary Devices
Word Dictionary
| Word | Meaning | Translation | Transliteration |
|---|---|---|---|
| مدَادُ | حبر | ink | madaad |
| مِنلُ | مثل | like | mithlu |
| خَافِيةِ | ريشة | feather | khaafiyat |
| الْغُرَابِ | طائر أسود | raven | al-ghuraab |
| وأَقْلامٌ | أدوات الكتابة | and pens | wa-aqlaamun |
| كَمُرْ | مثل | as | kamur |
| هَفَةِ | حد | edge | hafat |
| الْحِدَادِ | صانع السيوف | blacksmith | al-hidaad |
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