The duality of past and present in the poetry of al-Abiwardi (d. 507 AH)

Abstract

This study investigates the duality of time (past and present) as a significant literary phenomenon. It commences with a religious and philosophical introduction that underscores the human inability to overcome the power of time, drawing upon myths and classical philosophy, which oscillated between a cyclical conception of time—allowing for the possibility of return—and a linear conception—emphasizing the impossibility of recurrence. The research further examines the manifestation of this duality in Arabic literature, demonstrating how poets articulated the tragedy of temporal passage and the loss of youth.

          The duality is distinctly embodied in the poetry of Abī al-Wardī through two principal dimensions:

1-The motif of ruins and nostalgia for the time of union:

          Abī al-Wardī’s deep attachment to the idealized past is reflected in his poetic engagement with ruins and the recollection of beloved dwellings. The ruins function as a symbol of loss and transformation, while his poetic voice oscillates between lamenting a radiant past and mourning a painful present. Through the use of metaphor and personification, he conveys the tension between a troubled present and a joyous past.

2-Old age versus youth:

          The poet presents old age as a metaphor for the burdens of the present, characterized by estrangement from women and deprivation of youthful pleasures. In contrast, youth is depicted as a phase replete with vitality, strength, and delight, whereas old age epitomizes decline and weakness. For Abī al-Wardī, the past embodies health and beauty, while the present signifies frailty and incapacity.

          The corpus of texts analyzed reveals a profound dichotomy between two temporal stages: the radiant past (youth, union, and joy) and the tragic present (old age, separation, and estrangement).