Abu Nuwas Poetry

Abu Nuwas (756–814) was a major poet at the Abbasid court in Baghdad. He wrote bold wine songs, love poems and sharp satire that broke strict tradition. His lively voice celebrated pleasure and mocked hypocrisy, setting a lasting example of freedom in classical Arabic literature for later poets.

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Loving Someone You Can't Have

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Love in Bloom

‘Love in Bloom’ features a man admiring his beloved, characterising him as divine. However, undertones of secrecy lead to frustration.

This is a strong representation of Abu Nuwas' larger body of work, as it explores many of his major themes. These include the celebration of love and lust, as Nuwas was famous for his romantic and erotic poetry, which paved the way for many poets who came after him. Nuwas also regularly employed nature imagery throughout his poetic works, which is reflected in 'Love in Bloom' as the speaker compares the object of his affections to a young sapling and the moon. Consequently, this poem serves as a good introduction to Nuwas' style of poetry as well as his poetic voice.

I die of love for him, perfect in every way,

Lost in the strains of wafting music.

My eyes are fixed upon his delightful body

And I do not wonder at his beauty.

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