The Meanings of Love Poetry in the Works of Ali Abdul-Shafi' al-Khurram

Abstract

This research undertakes an analytical study of the "themes of love poetry" (Ghazal) in the work of the Libyan poet, Ali Abdul Shafi Al-Khurm, with a particular focus on Platonic love (al-ghazal al-ma'nawi) as a distinct artistic and psychological phenomenon. Through an integrative methodology, the study explores the poet's embodiment of love's intricate experiences, examining them through two primary axes: the manifestations of pain, such as blame, sorrow, betrayal, and treachery; and the manifestations of hope, such as longing, suffering, and doubt. The research concludes that Al-Khurm's poetry offers a profound vision of the human struggle between loss and connection, disillusionment and the adherence to hope, thereby reimagining the classical Udhri heritage within a contemporary context that reflects the authenticity and depth of his experience.