April 23rd, 2009 
Cindy Romantic Style Articulated
AFZAL SHAUQ .. Being a Poet & Writer…/ Kathy Bell
AFZAL SHAUQ .. Being a Poet & Writer…/ Kathy Bell
(I’m sharing some necessary tips about a Famous Afghani Poet/ Celebrity Mr.Afzal Shauq taken chosen from my M.phil Academic Thesis whic was completed in Decembers 2008 under the title ” Terror Effected Regions”…… Kathy Bell)__________
Ayaz Daudzai, a famous Critic and the ex-Chief Controller of Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation …
“He’s magnetic & mature…a traveler in peace… poetry with global touches. “a person of hundreds of stories”
Saad uddin Shpoon, Voice of America (Pashto) Producer USA and a Famous Educationist…
“He enriches the Pashto language… with new ideas…. letting loose the readers imagination”
Saleem Raz , a prominent Critic, poet and columnist of Pashto and Urdu languages…
“Afzal Shauq’s poetry is… rationalized, impressive, heart-catching, and his poetic approach is philosophical”
Hakeem Abdur Rehman Betaab, a Broadcaster in Avt Khyber Pashto TV Channel …
“Is there a Pashtoon in the world who does not know Afzal Shauq? I would say no… post-modernist and wishes that Pashtoons were there…”
Hashim Babar, a senior & famous Pashto Poet…
“His short poems are like the small bullets of a pistol … having an unforgettable effect…”
Saeed Gohar, a good poet, famous critic and researcher of Pashto and Urdu languages …
“He’s wide visionary poet and writer… the cutting edge … especially for the Pashto”
Dr. Farida Hod Saifi,BBC B.caster, Producer in “Azadi Zhagh” Radio Chek Republic…
“Shauq’s…like a sculptor…Creating different images in the reader’s mind and… not hiding from reality ”
Umar Gul Askar, a famous columnist for daily Urdu Newspaper Jung Quetta…
“He’s new poetry….. striking, realistic and creative”
Sohail Jaffar, Station Director Radio Pakistan Loralai Balochistan…
“He opens his heart in his poems… speaks the truth…”
Farooq Sarwar, columnist and author, Daily Newspaper Jung Quetta…
“Shauq’s….. a good Pashto poet….. creative in thoughts… wishing to prepare people to confront the behavior of HATE”
Musawar Qureshi , Columnist Daily Pashto Newspaper“Wahdat”Peshawar Pakistan …
“There are many “Story and Journey” writers in Pashto language but no one can write with the new ideas like Afzal Shauq …”
Haseena Gul, a poet , critic and Literary Broadcaster, Radio Pakistan Peshawar…
“Afzal Shauq ..… who writes in Pashto Language but his universal thoughts declare him…poet of the globe”
A Review …“Sunday Magazine , Daily Urdu Newspaper Mashriq Peshawar”Pak…2004…
“Shauq… never exaggerating. But generalizes his sayings with strong arguments and presents the facts”
Andrea Sarcani, An International Journalist & Columnist, Romania…
“His themes… sensitive, profound, human and natural. He speaks of love, as an experience, that in spite of all the pain, one shouldn’t miss”
Zareen Anzoor,a famous Pashto Writer, Germany…
“A famous innovator….. worthy for his own modern diction of poetry”
Ernanie i.Pepito, English Professor,Philippines 1200..
“His approach is a realistic in deed… pointing out the men… Its behavior and its relations towards WHO CREATES THEM”
Alley Boling, writer, translator and artist…
“New images and ideas the world should experience…SHAUQ’s a writer of great passion…the world should experience”
______________________
Ref: “Twist of Fates” / alley Boling / pages : 7 – 9
******************
‘I would like to thank Afzal Shauq for allowing me the honor of being the translator of his poetry. For the past two years I have attempted to express his work with the sensitivity and care it deserves. I find his work insightful, passionate and honest. He is a man driven by his dreams. He seeks to find a perfection in life that can only live in dreams, but I respect his endless search for that perfection. When he speaks of his homeland and his people, one can feel the love and pain of this author. He knows the true meaning of devastation and loss. As witness to the suffering of his people, he speaks openly about it in his verse. One merely has to read his words to feel the pain. Though some of his images are quite graphic, it is my belief that it makes the reader more aware of the people’s plight. It is my hope the translations of his work will allow the world to share in the talent of this author….’
(Twist of Fates/ Alley Boling / p.10)
_________
‘In human history, voices of poets have been doing what swords of rulers failed to do. These voices, chanting ideas of universal nature and attempting at making a difference for the betterment of humanity, need to be acknowledged and conveyed to all.
I was fortunate, to hear one such voice, of Afzal Shauq through translated collection of his poems by Alley Boling. TWIST OF FATES had every thing to quench my thirst for good poetry and to satiate my search for splendidness of ideas.333 poems of the book had a variety of themes ranging from alacrity of romantic anecdotes to very serious concern for peace in the world; from quest for an ideal to promoting international brotherhood. Imbued with sincerity, each word, influential and striking, goes straight to the heart. Reading these poems has been a rich emotional and spiritual experience for me. Having absorbed the aura of brilliance radiated by erudite themes, I felt compelled, to write a critical analysis of the book. For doing so, I tried reaching out the mind and soul creating those poems.’
( Bridging the Gaps/ Nazish Zafar/ p: 7 )
________
‘Like all sensitive people, I was flabbergasted by the 9/11 incident. In my state of frustration and mental hysteria, I was comforted by the presence of another lover of humanity. I was lucky to be introduced to my American friend, Alice Alley Ann Muhaphay… Alley Boling. She was impressed with my literary approach, innovative ideas and creative skills, and insisted upon translating my poetry into English. She urged the need of bringing out the ideas of universal concern in a language understood by the most around the globe. A voice rising from the east could now echo in the west. A phenomena that brought me great joy and satisfaction…..Afzal Shauq’
(Bridging The Gaps/Nazish Zafar/P: 13-14)
_________
‘Afzal Shauq upholds the enlightened Zoroaster’s teaching, as propounded in the scripture – - Zhand – Avesta, about light and darkness. Light, he says, signifies the Good and darkness, the Evil. Both are at ceaseless war, against each other since time immemorial. It is the light, which will ultimately triumph. Zoroaster preached that Ormazd is the Lord of goodness, Light and Creator of mankind. He identified the deity of darkness and evil, as Ahriman. In Persian language and literature, Ahriman still stands for Satan, while Ormazd has been turned into Yazdan, meaning Allah Almighty. Zoroaster is believed to have lived in the 6th century BC…. Ayaz Daudzzai’
(Bridging The Gaps/Nazish Zafar/P: 23)
_________
‘In Afzal Shauq ‘s TWIST OF FATES the human values system is shaken, your friends might become your enemies. He tackles two major themes. Love and War. They merge, they sometimes play each other’s part , they cannot be separated, like the light and its shadow. They represent the two dimensions of life itself. The humans have two choices to make: to love or to fight, to fight for their ideals. Love is also a fight… undefeatable fight between the heart and soul as Afzal Shauq referred to the following poem with an innovative theme… Andreea Sarcani’
(Bridging The Gaps/Nazish Zafar/P: 27)
_________
‘His fountain of poems describe the state of evolution change in heart, mind and action at every different incident of time. Which otherwise we have not the time to reflect . Afzal Shauq brings about every ‘contemplation’ we go through in our present day-to-day life. His pure dedications are recitations of what truth holds and what reality counts but because of the human state of mind (ego), we are always static in ‘denial’ or ‘ignorance’ of “the state of feelings which we had just passed through.”…. Benita Premchand’
(Bridging The Gaps/Nazish Zafar/P: 33)
_________
‘Twist of Fates’ is a translation of 333 poems of Afzal Shauq into English, by the American Alley Boling. Most of Shauq’s verses are short and in free verse. The poet catches fleeting ideas and puts them in cages of words. For that, he has to put the idea instinctively in any form that he has mastered and in his own style, otherwise the idea would vanish. Aptitude for a particular form is quite natural and personal, almost an inborn attribute of the poet. Afzal Shauq has developed an aptitude for free verse and has acquired the art of articulation in this form…. Dr. Sher Zaman Taizi’
(Bridging The Gaps/Nazish Zafar/P: 37)
_________
‘Hasham Babar has compared these short poems to “ the bullets of pistol, having an unforgettable effects”. However, these poems appear more like small capsules for all kind of social, political and moral maladies. Like unwelcome medicine they, or some of them, may taste bitter for the time being, but they have the sure therapeutic effect. In all fairness these poems can be compared to small does of a life saving drugs for the cancer of the ailing humanity. Afzal Shauq may not be an al- chemist ( or kimyadan) but he can be compared to a modern day Hakim, a doctor, a specialist practitioner par excellence, with his fingers on the pulse of the ailing, insane humanity and the ultimate remedy that he proposes is more in the nature of dreams, tranquility and love, and not surgery, operation and amputation. His poetry also holds a mirror to humanity in order to see the reflection of its neurosis and become conscious of the sense of guilt and the damage that it has done to itself. And then through the charms ( or Janthar Manthar) of his poetry the poet carefully cures the ailing humanity of all the psychopathic diseases….. Dr. Qabil Khan’
(Bridging The Gaps/Nazish Zafar/P: 41)
_________
‘Although it is far too often implied, the pen is mightier than the sword well, if this indeed be so, then Afzal Shauq’s pen must be more like a lethal dagger. His words though small in their number, loom large in the eye. They pierce the heart so fiercely when they are read. I too must shamelessly confess was a victim of their ferocity like some loving violence speaking out from the pages with a hauntingly humble and beautiful voice. I have had long conversations with Afzal Shauq myself and found him to be sensitive and charming but nothing prepared me for how so very well I would get to know him just from reading his latest book of poems. I feel I know him far better now from that more so than any conversation we two could ever have had on any given day of the week and for whatever length of the duration. I learned this fact maybe twenty poems into his book. Dear readers ,its as if you can almost taste his disbelief and hope so intermingled as he looks upon his world and ponders the why of it all and with he being not one to squander his words each small meal he feeds the eyes is a banquet to the mind. Upon reading his poems I have also learned there is romance even in disappointment. Whether reflecting on poverty, war, injustice of one’s circumstances or the stark inconceivableness of inhumanity Afzal Shauq lends his words and offers up his own poet’s heart to the reader to be accepted or dismissed in the matter… Melissa Lundeen’
(Bridging The Gaps/Nazish Zafar/P: 44)
_________
‘The themes of the Afzal Shauq’s poetry are universal brotherhood, fraternity, love, humanity and intense desire to improve the pitiable condition of the people suffering from poverty, injustice and discrimination. The explorer in Afzal Shauq has led him to various countries of the world and this has also endowed his creative spirit with rich experience. That varied and rich experience is amply reflected in his poems. In the translations the translator Alley Boling who seems to be the best American poetess has tried her best to keep the theme and spirit of Afzal’s poems intact…Dr.Khurram Khiraam Sidiqui’
(Bridging The Gaps/Nazish Zafar/P: 53)
_________
‘Afzal Shauq being a modern poet and travelogue writer fixed a different and heart catching diction of writing and very soon he became a favorite with learned people. It was difficult for him making a mark among his own people owing to his entirely new ideas originating from his concern for the globe outdoing the rigidity of particular Pashtun sect.
I wrote a complete book on his literary work under the title “ AFZAL … AFZAL SHAUQ” and tried to cover his works and art in the best way I could. But since his poetry has been translated by Alley Boling, his world wide fame being a successful poet… keeps me willing to write more and more about him. Because, the translation of his works in a language of globe by a world class poetess deserves to be high lighted as a symbol of pride to the proud nation Pashtoons. … Syeda Haseena Gul’
(Bridging The Gaps/Nazish Zafar/P: 56-57)
_________
‘I being a reader of this book can very well say that “this book is full of all emotions and wonders of life “it has all the surprising facts of life , like “TERRORISM, ALARMINGTHREAT,HEART CATCHY EMOTIONS ,LOVE IN MORNFUL WAY, DISGUSTING BEHAHIORS OF HUMNA RACE, BRUTALITY and many more parts of life.
Afzal Shauq has beautifully described the realities of life and twisting of fate in life…. Zeny Disuja’
(Bridging The Gaps/Nazish Zafar/P: 59)
_________
‘The poem “THE NATURE OF HUMAN”, “THE HUMAN OF 21st CENTUREY”, “WALKING DEAD”, “REVOLUTION OF DARKNESS”, and “THE COMPANION OF SATAN” and many other poems are the true situation of present age and Mr. Afzal Shauq has featured in factual themes and his hopes for betterment in humanity has expressed in poem “WAY TO SENSE” which shows up the poet as a kind human and even a focal point of humanity to teach and guide…..Esong Joseph Nkamanu’
(Bridging The Gaps/Nazish Zafar/P: 62-63)
_________
After reading the TWIST OF FATES
his words
on their expedition over so many pages
how they moved so beautifully
in their crossing of two languages
succinct and deep
are their precious meanings
I found myself awash
in remorse
and powerful empathy
as I weeped right along side
those many loves lost
amid insights gained
the hair pin curves of life
woven with hope and disillusionment
all landmarks to a flesh, blood and bone being
gracing time with his mission’s journey
is a pleasure just to get to ride
along behind his eyes
with his heart
and through his hand
I uncap my pen to you Afzal
the only way I know how
with this inpromptu poem
you are a sunburst off the largest star
man has known
and with but your words
you can not imagine
the subsequent heat that resonates
in the very soul………………….
(written May 24, 2007 1130 pm)
MELISSA LUNDEEN USA
(Bridging The Gaps/Nazish Zafar/P: 65)
_________
Wither you flee?
The wandering soul !
Captive of the unseen !
You wish to unlock
The heart within you
And those of all you can reach
The cells of scary night
And let all stars fly away
In search of the unknown
You !
Who has trampled
The strangest of lands and seas
Under your feet
Look for your own face
Unable to find
Tear deprived
Shed dreams
In speechless agony
With my best wishes and regards for Afzal Shauq.
NAZISH FAZAR
(Bridging The Gaps/Nazish Zafar/P: 70-71)
_________
‘I remember, the above question was arosen in my mind when I read through the poem and smiled with critically. But after thinking about the theme of poet, I was really surprised and liked the way he did the poem. After getting the idea I understood the idea of poet Afzal Shauq, who wished the humankind be gathered and wish to sensitize the message sameness to the world keeping their instinctive human behavior in view. That’s why he dreamt if the poets of each language chose their dreaming girls out of their regional boundaries in a symbolic way to prevail and promote the humanity with following rule of happy life “let live and live other” and forget about regional, religious and racial differences. Means, Afzal Shauq here just to proves that every thing in the use of humans and even humankind themselves are same and belong to a God gifted human life. But the dream of peace seeking poet become false when he returns to senses and feels.. that human beings can never be gathered as he thinks or dream. I pay tributes and congratulations to Afzal Shauq for his great poem….Prof. Zein el Abedin’
(Bridging The Gaps/Nazish Zafar/P: 70-71)
_________
‘I wish, I could appreciate Mr. Afzal Shauq with words, that could truly convey my heart felt emotions and respect for him.. Because in a very short period of two years our friendship, I found him a very kind man and a true humanist .. loving every one as he himself is loved by all around him.
He is a man of deep feelings and writes what he truly feels in a very pure way. his ideas are innovative and he knows the skill of capturing hearts through his words…. Mohammad Saeed Baloch’
(Bridging The Gaps/Nazish Zafar/P: 74)
_________
‘I may omit my views being the enthused reader of the poems of Afzal Shauq added to the on line book ‘Twist of Fates’, which was recommended to me by one of my friends who writes poetry too.
So I contacted the poet of the book and appreciated his vision for the entire world being a true humanist dreaming for peaceful life for the globe. I found him fair and devoted poet to his cause of peace, what he deems the true way to humans prosperity….. Nicole Leon’
(Bridging The Gaps/Nazish Zafar/P: 76)
_________
‘The themes of AFZAL’S verses are unique to the western world , maybe owing to the change of eastern ethos in terms of it’s norms, values, taboo , customs and lifestyle as well.
Most of the topics covered in his poetry are love, peace and dreams for all mankind turn out to be true. Which is impossible but he seems not to be refrained from his unattainable claim of peace for all. Aside from the above, I found him searches for the ideal woman, threw her eyes, and face of true love. I would love to introduce any one to this great poet for his words mean so much and are from the heart….S. Elher – Parter (Zie)’
(Bridging The Gaps/Nazish Zafar/P: 78)
_________
‘He seems strolling around the world like a soul without getting a body. He writes in regional language of Pashto but addresses the globe. And this approach, according to him, is the demand of writing literature in this age. He started writing in 1975 and to this day he has won a position of an eminent and successful poet…. Tariq Shahid’
(Bridging The Gaps/Nazish Zafar/P: 79)
_________
“Good poetry touches heart and inspire brain.” With the same hope, Me Ilyse Drost being one of regular members of world wide Post Poems cyber site was surfing for good verses to read and fortunately, found your poems “ Announcement” on page 47 and “Heavenly People of hell” on page 161, touched my heart and brain because it fits the present time of mankind … who found busy in state of warfare. … Ilyse Drost’
(Bridging The Gaps/Nazish Zafar/P: 83-84)
_________
‘HUNDREDS OF FACES = to follow ill send you the rest.. a good poem showing your way of making friends for satisfying your soul which is based of the desires making you a social activist and searcher for good faces and people as well.
Mr. Afzal Shauq, I will be criticizing your whole poems in the same way to let you know what you did? and what’s the value of your thoughts and themes of life?….Luisita Palao’
(Bridging The Gaps/Nazish Zafar/P: 85-86)
_________
‘The themes of Afzal’s poetry are not as easy to interpret as the words he uses for expression. He speaks in easy way but keeps presenting the ideas in a philosophical way , which may keep the readers think of seriously.
His approach is a realistic in deed… pointing out the men… Its behavior and its relations towards WHO CREATES THEM … Ernanie I. Pepito’
. (Bridging The Gaps/Nazish Zafar/P: 87)
_________
‘Our situation is the same and I dream for the past of my country. And your poems make me cry and realize that as I am also a scary soul of animal world. Always people are dying for nothing. Same like in your country Afghanistan , had been happening since decades but for what and who does? This is a question as you mentioned in few of your verses…. Dr. Warkaa Saad’
. (Bridging The Gaps/Nazish Zafar/P: 88)
_________
‘I am also thankful to Romanian Writer / Poetess and artist , who is a good literary friend of Afzal Shauq and he asked her to design a title cover for my book. So she did it for me with appreciation notes for the poetry of Mr. Afzal added in Chinese version ( Ming Yun De Zhuan Zhe) means Twist of Fates… Liuli’
. (Bridging The Gaps/Nazish Zafar/P: 90)
_________
‘The translation of the Pashto poet by the American writer Alley Boling brings modern Pashto poetry to an Anglophone audience. The book is imbued with verses , such as “Cry” which make a passionate plea for Pashto and for Pathans to reclaim their rightful inheritance. There are several romantic poems, including “Lonely Moments’ which comment on a writer’s use of verse to compensate for absence; others such as “ Broken Branches” , “ The Earthquake of time” and “Blind Justice” revolve around social injustice and the harsh life of poor… Muneeza Shamsie’
(Bridging The Gaps/Nazish Zafar/P: 92)
_________
‘Hopes, beauty, blind love and trust in love, inspiration from human and geographical nature and struggle are the main subjects to address. In addition to all, he criticized the worsen situations and behavior of human beings who are found in state of fighting and hate.. as he wrote in context with Afghan civil war and also worried about the adverse after effects and threats to humanity .. (Twist of Fates/ page No.164)…. Prof. Tehmina Afzal’
(Bridging The Gaps/Nazish Zafar/P: 97)
_________
‘Like your peace and love chasing dreams .. thoughts .. issues and looking for new dawn to come . Great verses to stimulate brains of readers in different directions. Love your talent yeah .. P. Osuji’
(Bridging The Gaps/Nazish Zafar/P: 100)
_________
‘I wish if you more than words can say to your searching love will reach any distance and fly to be in your dreams and heart each evening that make you satisfactory spiritually… F. Sesse Seko’
(Bridging The Gaps/Nazish Zafar/P: 101)
_________
‘I’m about to stick my neck out on a limb now. I have to be sincere to my self after reading his whole book again and again and then be able to write more. I think that the world have something to be proud of the positive thinkers like Mr. Afzal Shauq and his friend Alley Boling , who have wished to bridge the gaps between east and west as mentioned in the back cover of book ‘Twist of Fates’….Dr. Mathew’
(Bridging The Gaps/Nazish Zafar/P: 102)
_________
‘Your work really is great. you really are an amazing writer a true genius.
your work really gives the reader a look into your mind and another extra ordinary works, you thought ever.
you can really tell how they feel about humanity and people as a whole .. your dreams are perfect.
Like your will of peace and humanity ties to be closer….. Felicity . L. Bostdrof’
(Bridging The Gaps/Nazish Zafar/P: 104)
________
The short poems of Mr. Afzal Shauq, as contained in the Twist of Fates, are really life stories of men and women around the globe. While written from his own experience and general observations, one can identify himself / herself in several of Mr. Shauq’s poems.
‘There are poems about the joys and triumphs of human life – celebrating love with family, friends and loved ones, living in peace and harmony with fellow men and women, having friends in times of trouble, and becoming one with God and the rest of the world…. Engr. Phlorita A. Ridao’
(Bridging The Gaps/Nazish Zafar/P: 105)
_________
‘Yours poems, they seduce my heart and I forsake all that is around me. I am drawn to your words as a moth to a flame I want to be consumed. No one has ever expressed human kind the way that has captured my attention the way you do. Your words will visit me in my dreams and I shall be filled with happiness…. Doria Wandrake’
(Bridging The Gaps/Nazish Zafar/P: 107)
_________
‘There are also some darker issues that are well handled in poems with great poetic techniques. I appreciate his symbolic and visualized themes that let the readers to realize about the issues he discloses.
Human Evolution really speaks volumes about the cruelty of mankind. The poet of ‘ Twist of Fates’ over viewed the world’s miserable sides successfully and Alley Boling, has also un doubtfully translated his verses with great concerns… Julia Gatuha’
(Bridging The Gaps/Nazish Zafar/P: 109)
_________
‘It’s not a long time that I know Mr.Shauq but I feel a deep cordiality with his poems. He knows that how use the words. His mind’s muse can steal away hearts. One of the advantages of his poem is that the couplets don’t prisoner in demagogic beautiful motto and can say their idea liberally… Mehdi Riahi’
(Bridging The Gaps/Nazish Zafar/P: 111)
_________
‘I haven’t had the opportunity of reading through the entire enchanting expanse of the vistas offered by Afzal Shauq’s poetry due to personal reasons and the time-scale.. but I have skimmed through the pages and whatever got my attention was an miracle in itself. Perhaps this is what he himself prides in. )…. Riffat Nazir Ahmad’
Am I
Mozart
incarnate
writing words
in the rhythm well I know. ..(p.231
(Bridging The Gaps/Nazish Zafar/P: 112)
Kathy Bell
Toronto / Canadia
Kathybell.bell@gmail.com
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