Love Peace

Love Peace

AFZAL SHAUQ , THE PEACE DREAMER / Anwar Wafi Hayat

Life is like a story written on the sandy shore of time. Time, with its artistic fingers, has written the stories of many on its shore, and has wiped them off one by one with its cruel hands like the waves of water removes the footsteps left on a seashore, but only a few stronger ones have managed to fight it – these are the stories of the people who made a difference for the welfare of humanity, who did not live for their own selves only, but lived for others! Their stories are still written on time’s shore and the world will read them forever… One of such stories which is being written by time, to remain forever, is the life of Afzal Shauq; a poet, a writer, a traveler and a peace wisher.

Afzal Shauq; A well known poet of Pashto/Afghani language both in Pakistan and Afghanistan (Where Pashto is the national language), has published six books in Pashto language, consisting of two poetry books, one novel and 3 Travelogues of European and Asian countries.

He is also known as the peace wisher and Selanay Shayer (in Pashto, the traveler poet).

As he is a traveler poet, his poetry has also adopted the hobby of traveling; crossing the borders and oceans, reaching almost every country of the world.

“Alley Boling; an American writer, has translated his poetry into English, which has been published in the form of a poetry book “The Twist Of Fates”. “The Twist Of Fates” was further translated into Chinese and published, by a Chinese author, due to which he enjoys a great fame both in the Western and Asian countries. Along with English and Chinese, his work has been translated in various other international languages of the world including Urdu , Arabic, French, German, Persian, Bulgarian, Filipino, African and many other languages.

I feel very much honored and blessed to share my thoughts about Shauq—The Peace Dreamer, the poet of love and peace. I came across his work on a poetry website, where I read a poem of him which was translated from Pashto language into English. I don’t remember the website but the poem deeply touched me. I was thrilled when I saw that it was translated from Pashto, which is my native language. Being myself a Pashto language poet, I was so impatient to read the poem in Pashto. So I started searching about his Pashto work on the internet, and soon I found it on different Pashto websites.

I started to read his work and felt that I was falling in love with every poem I read. I was very much impressed by his thoughts; His poems were so much different than other Pashtun poets due to his innovative ideas and universal message involved. Then I met him on an English poetry website where I post my English poetry too. I got his email id from there and this way I was lucky to know Shauq from near.

Until now I have read much of his poetry work and am honored to have translated some of his poems into English, Urdu and Dari(The Afghan Persian). It is very difficult for me to present my thoughts about the work of such a great poet, but I will try my best to shed some light on the peace loving message of him.

The basic theme of his poetry is love, peace, and universal brotherhood. He considers the world to be the house of Adam where he is a member of the Adam’s family, a son of the Adam’s family, a true cousin of all beings! He believes love is the only power which can break the barriers of color, language, race and religions. I would like to share one of my favorite quote form his work; “Culture, location and beliefs; all vanish with love!”

Shauq tries to medicate the ailing society with the heartiest, sweet and friendly words and smiles. He believes “smile” is the only best weapon to fight with or win the hearts. Consider one of his Pashto poem “Muska”, which I have translated into English.

~Smile~

If

A quiet

Friendly smile

Can

Gain control

Over the hearts of people,

Then

Why let the guns talk!

Afzal Shauq is saddened by the miseries of War, poverty and injustice faced by the men of today, but he is hopeful. He tries to find the reasons why we are divided and to solve the mystery of division. He tries to bridge up the gaps between the nations. He dreams of a world where love conquers and peace rules. Where the gods of selfishness, hatred and war bow down to the angels of love and peace, in humility. Where men can reach such a status that even Satan envies to be his nature and longs to learn the lessons of goodness from men. Where everyone is treated equally, no difference between poor and rich, white or black, no prejudice of race, color or beliefs…

Shauq doesn’t restrict his thoughts to himself or to his nation only, but he crosses the borders of his self, embracing every nation of the world….

Shauq’s poetry has a great message for all to consider. He writes from the core of his heart. His longing for peace and the desire to change the miserable condition of men, compels him to write. His heart beats with the love of humanity. The love for the creation of God flows in his blood. He is so possessed with love that he can’t bear that even an insect should be annoyed. I remember one of his poems which is a message for his children. When I read that poem in Pashto, my heart filled with love for Shauq, and translated it into English because there lays a great message in that, not only for his children but for everyone to follow it…

Shauq’s Will

(To His Children)

Let alone

Men,

Animals

And birds;

If you ever hurt

(Even)

The heart of an ant,

My heart

In my grave

Will forever

Be

In pain!

Along with many other various websites, his books can be read online and downloaded from http://khyber.org/books/ashauq/index.shtml … Much has been written and is being written about this great poet of peace and love, by people from different countries of the world, but I think there is much more to be explored about his work. I pray to God that he may live a long life and never stop writing the poems of love and peace to medicate the ailing house of Adam and to bridge up the gaps between the hearts of the children of Adam. Amen!

Anwar Wafi Hayat

Pehsawar / PAKISTAN

www.neopoet.com/wafi

About the Author

Shauq doesn’t restrict his thoughts to himself or to his nation only, but he crosses the borders of his self, embracing every nation of the world….

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