The Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) organized a poetry evening, hosting the famous Jordanian Poet, Haidar Mahmoud, on the occasion of the Independence Day and the Army day at Al Hussein Cultural Center, with the attendance of senior officials and employees of the Amman Municipality.
Haidar Mahmoud started with a poem he wrote on old Amman and “Al Houriyat (the virgin nymphs) who escaped the roofing of Al Seil (the stream)”, noting that” one aches when one observes memories fall into oblivion and get lost,” and wondering at the same time “why should some resort to roofing Al Seil” which, he thought, should have been left open.
“In Al Hussein Center we meet
The nymphs of Ras Al ‘Ein and I
Drinking the bitter morning coffee
For sugar is in no need of sugar
As talking has no place between lovers
Especially when the eyes meet
(The nymphs) ask me about Al Seil:
Has it become a forest
Not of Palms
And how would pigeons resume cooing
When Al Seil roof has developed into a fortress of cement
Mahmoud recited a collection of poems, singing of the homeland and the dignity of the Jordanian citizen through reminiscing the battle of Al Karamah ( the dignity) during which the Arab Army ( the Jordanian Army) fought severely against the so called invincible army :
However precious the Jordanian blood
This perpetually and solemnly pledged to the river
Whenever water becomes so dear, we pour it
Heavily, until we smell the frankincense
And fragrance of the martyrs is spread all over
For the sinless blood blossoms with flowers
The famous poet also reminisced the Late king Hussein in a poem entitled “from M’utah to Al Karamah”, which he recited before the Late king:
The “red kufiyah” (head cover) blooms with You
So do the twins: the Crown and Sublimity
And Around You , the Loyal soldiers formulate a flag
Streaming with high resolve
With their swords they engraved Your name
On their forearms when names are scarce
In a poem entitled “Amman Ode on Occidentalism” which he dedicated to the late poet and dignitary Abdul Mun’em Al Rifa’I : he who departed the realms of spirit, Mahmoud remains loyal to the old Amman and its memoirs:
As the city grows, it turns into
A forest of stones and iron
And the old in it, which once was
Beautiful, turns into anything contradictory to everything new
I love Amman, but I now get lost
And I cannot locate our home in “Al Rasheed”.
The poetry evening was concluded by honoring the poet with a plaque of appreciation presented by the President of GAM Employees Club, Salameh Al Naser.
