The Cultural References in Abbas Shakr's Poetry: A Study in the Light of Cultural Criticism

Abstract

                The poet Mohammad Abbas Shukr, known in literary circles as "Abbas Shukr," is one of the contemporary poets who adhered to the classical structure of poetry and its metrical laws while drawing on various types of knowledge to fuel his poetic imagination. This approach enabled him to engage with daily events marked by political and social upheavals, which in turn led to the diversity of his poetic themes and the prolific nature of his work. Abbas Shukr utilized the depth of his cultural heritage to evoke certain religious figures, employing them as a means to express political and societal struggles, aiming to critique the persistently turbulent conditions.

                This article focuses on the most significant cultural references that Abbas Shukr relied upon to enrich the subjects of his poems. The study analyzes these references using an analytical methodology that helped identify the key cultural patterns interwoven into his poetry. One of the main findings is the intertwining of various cultural elements within a single poem. The same poems that are adorned with Quranic verses also reflect a tumultuous social and political reality, aiming to inspire resolve and motivation by invoking multiple references, particularly political ones, which noticeably blend with others. The poet was deeply concerned with the current situations in Iraq and Palestine and the escalating conditions that reflect the betrayal and complicity of Arabs in serving American and Zionist interests. The political circumstances fueled the poetic fervor of Mohammad Abbas Shukr, yet they failed to stir the stagnant blood of Arab political leaders.

                This study did not overlook religious references, recognizing their expressive power through symbols embodied by prophets and messengers, including the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his pure family, as well as the symbols contained in Quranic verses that encapsulate profound meanings and interactions, reflecting reality across ages with their descriptive and connotative vocabulary. The poet also acknowledged the familial role in shaping his personality, making him a person imbued with humanity and a desire to give, filled with gratitude. This familial influence is reflected in his poems that immortalize his noble family members, particularly his father and mother.