On Tuesday, October 27, 2026, the House of Poetry in Sharjah hosted a captivating poetry evening featuring an array of talented poets. Among those taking the stage were Dr Abdul Razzaq Al-Darbas and Lina Faisal Al-Maflah from Syria, alongside Dr Mazen Salah Al-Din from Sudan. The event, attended by a wide audience that included critics, fellow poets, and lovers of poetry, was overseen by poet Mohammed Abdullah Al-Buraiki, the Director of the House of Poetry.
Opening Remarks and Acknowledgments
The evening was introduced by Mr Moamen Al-Nahhas, who extended a warm welcome to the audience. He expressed profound gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, a member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, as well as to the Department of Culture and the House of Poetry. He noted:
“From here, from the Emirate of Sharjah, the capital of beauty, thought, and creativity, the rendezvous of scholars and poets from all around the world, and from the House of Poetry in Sharjah, this edifice that has carved a place for words, a presence for poetry, and a platform for creators, we gather today for an exceptional evening titled Creativity, accompanied by poetry, and graced by your presence.”
Poetic Performances
The first reading was delivered by Dr Abdul Razzaq Al-Darbas, who captivated the audience with a collection of poems suffused with nostalgia and longing for his homeland, expressed through rich language and a melodic rhythm. In his poem “Mubtada’ Mu’akhar” he poignantly states:
أَجيئُـكِ اليَـومَ مثلَ الخَيـلِ ضابِحَـــةً
ما قَصدُها في المَسيرِ المَاءُ وَالكَلأُ
He continues to reflect on themes of love and the indelible marks it leaves, sharing that:
على الصَّحيحَينِ حُـبّـــي لا شكوكَ بــــهِ
فَـتَـضحِـياتُ الــهـوى ما شــابَهـا الخَـطَــأ
In another piece titled “Bared This Autumn,” Al-Darbas intertwines nature and personal expression, saying:
مِن فراغِ الرُّوحِ تأتيني فَراشاتُ المَـدى..
وَيُغنّي (الوَروَرُ) الأزرقُ للمِسطاحِ ألحانَ الغَجَـرْ.
Next to take the stage was poetess Lina Faisal Al-Maflah, whose fluid style and rhythmic approach resonated deeply with the audience. In her poem “Crown Without Body,” she conveys emotional depth and a yearning for connection:
خلعتُ عن آخرِ الأسفارِ عزلتَها
وصرختي اليومَ يا أشواقي اندفعي
Al-Maflah also presented “The Fourth Hour,” painting a cinematic scene of an imagined meeting at a café by the River Tigris, sharing her longing and reflections through poignant imagery:
عبثية لغتي تغير شكلها
لكن إذا نطقت تقول وتفعل
The evening was concluded by Dr Mazen Salah Al-Din, who shared a selection of poems rich in subtle metaphor and deep introspection. His verses drew inspiration from both self and reality, expressed through a vivid imagination. In one piece, he notes:
جاءت لتُبصرَ طيراً شقّ لوحتهُ
وصارَ نقشاً على الأيّامِ قد طُبِعَا
In another insightful poem, he describes a hesitant feminine presence, mirroring the complexities of the self in times of doubt and anxiety:
تمشي، كأنَّ خُطاها فوقَ هاويةٍ
وكلُّ ما حولها قد زادَها رِيَبَا
Conclusion and Recognition
As the evening drew to a close, Mohammed Al-Buraiki took a moment to honour the participating poets and the evening’s host, celebrating the vibrancy and creativity that flourishes within the walls of the House of Poetry in Sharjah.