Arab Literature

One of the most important areas to explore in ancient literature, is of course the arab. Taking in account wonderful works as the Ramayana and the Thousand and One Nights, one can thoroughly understand that the literary works deviced by the arabs is a carefuly crafted one. Now it is time to talk about the presence of arab literature in Spain during the Middle Ages.

It is true that I have already made an entry of El Mio Cid, which is  heavily influenced by the arab context. In despite of that, this entry focuses a little bit on the long lost poet, Ibn Suhayd.

A native of Córdoba, Suhayd was a gifted child that converted into a poet during his growth.  Living beneath the shadow of the celebrated Averroes, Suhayd has his own specific and well built poetry. This is a brief passage of one of his poem, i was not able to find an english translation:

Cuando, llena de su embriaguez, se durmió, y se durmieron los ojos de la ronda, me acerqué a ella tímidamente, como el amigo que busca el contacto furtivo con disimulo. Me arrastré hacia ella insensiblemente como el sueño; me elevé hacia ella dulcemente como el aliento. Besé el blanco brillante de su cuello; apuré el rojo vivo de su boca. Y pasé con ella deliciosamente, hasta que sonrieron las tinieblas, mostrando los blancos dientes de la aurora.

 

"After the Orgy" explores the type of arab literature similar to the one in The One Thousand and One Nights. Before the contemporary context of conservative islam that prohibites erotic works, this was a very recurring topic. 

We can perceive some glimpses of beauty, sex, and romance in the verses of Suhayd´s poem. A beautiful text that somehow has never been very coveted by modern critics. In conclusion, Arab literature offers a brilliant alternative to the rigidness of the Western Canon.