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Tuesday March 19, 2024

Poetry of peace and conflict

By Kiran Butt
March 19, 2018

LAHORE: A perpetual conflict between contrasting phenomena of contemporary world can’t be expressed as powerfully as have been palpably felt in the poetic expression by Jawaid A Virk’s latest poetry collection “Dimensions Beyond Infinity”.

The contrasting phenomena of beauty and ugliness, peace and conflict, terrorism and human rights, sorrow and happiness, celebration and tragedy form the core subject matter of the beautifully crafted English poems.

Representing terrorism and human rights through poetry is a rare art to witness. There is so much beauty in this universe and yet there is lot of tragedy to be found. Beauty is substantially natural but fading. As nothing in this universe happens without someone or something causing it hence cause-and-effect phenomenon naturally finds its way being one of the salient features in the poems.

The collection of contemporary poetry on current subjects reflects proficiency of the poet on language as well as the subject he is talking about. Jawaid A Virk penned down his personal experiences of human history, dreams, dramas, movies, political and religious issues, personalities leaving indelible marks on the history and many more through 67 striking poems. The eye-catching title of the book “Dimensions beyond Infinity” represents the poet’s inspiration.

The poet’s command on language and his aptness in use of poetic expressions in metaphors, similes and other figures of speech in, sometimes, free verse, and at others, in rhyme creates a beautiful set of poems that instantly touch the senses of the readers.

He has dedicated poems to “Mother Teresa”, “Abdul Sattar Edhi” and “Neerja Bhanot” – an air hostess at a hijacked plane, while subjects such as “Direction to Humanity”, “I Have a Dream, Too” – a leaf from the page of Martin Luther King’s life – immediately appeal the attention of perusing eyes. He dedicated the book to those who are always confused.

Other prominent poems include “A Single Drop of Tears”, “Confusion, Do I Cherish You”, “Flower”, “Human and Snake?”, “The Terrorists”, “Love I Call These Silly Words”, “Every Grave Will Tell A Story”, etc.

He said, “It is not hard to imagine that powerful and resourceful people on the earth cause wars, suicide bombings, terrorism, chaos, sufferings and deprivations. “Is it possible for a crime to begin and flourish without support of the people in power? And who are the people in power and control?” He puts forth pertinent questions. The world has been taken over by interest groups. By law, the people are forced to abide by their rules of greed, lust and power. Our society has either already collapsed or is near collapse.”

For iconic philanthropist Abdul Sattar Edhi, the poet says, “Sun you will always be brightest most in the world. Not far from you billions of us were I was, too. Ever but no one was As you were the bright. Tears in my eyes are many ashamed I’m always so why I ever cannot be even one iota like you?”

While explaining the dedication, he said, “Confusion is beyond limits. Why are we born? Who created us? Why and how will we end? What will happen to us in the end? Did we even have to be? In spite of many claims no one has the answers, in the meantime, the human race has beyond shame caused and promoted tragedy, misery, oppression, abuse, misuse, crime, disease and more. Some of my loved ones warned me, “Don’t say anything. They’ll come and get you”. It is true that “they” do come and get you. They have gotten many better than me. Compared to them, I am nobody.” For future writings, he said, I prefer to remain unfocused and confused; it helps me to dream, love, share, help and give and take. It brings me into the worlds beyond and dimensions beyond infinity.