Category:  Poetry Publisher: afzal shauq / alley boling Pages: 418 TWIST OF FATES, is a book contains Afzal Shauq's Pashto Poetry translation into English done by a prominent Americam poetess Alley boling and bublished in 2006 Collected Poems of Afzal Shauq   Translated by              Alley Boling                     TWIST OF FATES .. Collected poems of Afzal Shauq Translation  by Alley Boling   Published in Islamabad Pakistan August  2006   First Edition.   Contacts Alley Boling Georgia USA. alley_boling2006.yahoo.com & http://360.yahoo.com/alley_boling2006 and… Afzal Shauq Islamabad Pak.       afzalshauq.yahoo.com  & http://360.yahoo.com/afzalshauq    Cover Art by Alley Boling   Printed by Faiz ul Islam Printers Pakistan.   ©All rights reserved to; Alley Boling & Afzal Shauq   Half of all proceeds of this book are going to establish the Farishta Foundation to aid the poor and suffering people of this world.                                                              R. Price (World) . US$ 19.95                                                             Pak. Rs.300/-&Afghani.250/-     DEDICATION   I would like to dedicate this work to the loved ones in my life.... who have always had faith in me....  Who supported me in my times of trial.... Who always loved me in spite of my faults.  Thank you for always standing by me you special people of my life.   Alley Boling                                       ABOUT THE AUTHER AFZAL SHAUQ                                                       Author M. Afzal Shauq was born in the valleys of  the Pashtoon region of North West Pakistan.  He attended Balochistan University where he received his masters degree in sociology.  In 1998 he received a second masters in Demography from the Cairo Demographic Center in Cairo Egypt.  From 1983 - 1986 he being professor lectured  on sociology at several Universities.   Starting in1986 till the present, he has served as executive officer on Population Welfare.  He has work with Radio Pakistan Quetta  and different Pakistan Television channels in various positions most notably as a broadcaster, script and lyric writer. He has done a great deal of  freelance writing on social issues as well as the author six books.  He is known in Pakistan as "The Journey" writer.  Afzal Shauq has written three books about his observations of people during his extensive travels. They are Auwa Gama Mazal , Mazal Pe Waura Bandey and De Lmer De Killi Pe Lor . His travels also inspired one of his two books of poetry which are Pe Latoon Sta De Seray, and Shladelay Amail.   Afzal recently released his first novel Paroni Makhona , which he dedicated to his inspiration, daughter Hadeel Breshna Afzal Khan.   He is also the father of four sons Aziz, Qam, Hikmat, and rising Pashto pop singer Ulus Yarr Kan. Afzal's works were the subject of the book Afzal ....Afzal Shauq by writer critic Haseena Gul.   AFZAL SHAUQ ..  Pashto Poet & Writer…             Ayaz Daudzai, a famous Critic and the ex-Chief Controller of Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation  ...             “He’s magnetic & mature...a traveler in peace... poetry with global touches. “a person of hundreds of stories”   Saad uddin Shpoon, Voice of America  (Pashto) Producer USA  and a Famous Educationist...             “He enriches  the Pashto language... with new ideas.... letting loose the readers imagination”                                               Saleem Raz , a prominent Critic, poet  and columnist of Pashto and Urdu languages… “Afzal Shauq’s poetry is... rationalized, impressive, heart-catching, and his poetic approach is philosophical”   Hakeem Abdur Rehman Betaab, a Broadcaster in Avt Khyber Pashto TV Channel …             “Is there a Pashtoon in the world who does not know Afzal Shauq? I would say no… post-modernist and wishes that Pashtoons were there…”   Hashim Babar, a senior & famous Pashto Poet…             “His short poems are like the small bullets of a pistol ... having an unforgettable  effect…”   Saeed Gohar, a good poet, famous critic and researcher of Pashto and Urdu languages ...             “He’s wide visionary poet and writer... the cutting edge ... especially for the Pashto”   Dr. Farida Hod Saifi,BBC B.caster, Producer in “Azadi Zhagh” Radio Chek Republic…             “Shauq’s…like a sculptor…Creating different images in the reader's mind and... not hiding from reality ”   Umar Gul Askar, a famous columnist for daily Urdu Newspaper Jung Quetta…             “He’s new poetry….. striking, realistic and creative”   Sohail Jaffar, Station Director Radio Pakistan Loralai Balochistan… “He opens his heart in his poems... speaks the truth…”   Farooq Sarwar, columnist and author, Daily Newspaper Jung Quetta…             “Shauq’s….. a good Pashto poet….. creative in thoughts… wishing to prepare people to confront the behavior of HATE”   Musawar Qureshi , Columnist  Daily Pashto Newspaper“Wahdat”Peshawar Pakistan  …             “There are many “Story and Journey” writers in Pashto language but no one can write with the new ideas like Afzal Shauq …”   Haseena Gul, a poet , critic and Literary Broadcaster, Radio Pakistan Peshawar…             “Afzal Shauq ..… who writes in Pashto Language but his universal thoughts declare him...poet of the globe”    A Review …“Sunday Magazine , Daily Urdu Newspaper Mashriq Peshawar”Pak…2004…             “Shauq… never exaggerating. But generalizes his sayings with strong arguments and presents the facts”   Andrea Sarcani, An International Journalist & Columnist, Romania… “His themes… sensitive, profound, human and natural. He speaks of love, as an experience, that in spite of all the pain, one shouldn't miss”   Zareen Anzoor,a famous Pashto Writer, Germany… “A famous innovator….. worthy for his own modern diction of poetry”   Ernanie i.Pepito, English Professor,Philippines 1200..             “His approach is a realistic in deed… pointing out the men… Its behavior and its relations towards WHO CREATES THEM”   Alley Boling, writer, translator and artist...             “New images and ideas the world should experience...SHAUQ’s a writer of great passion…the world should experience”                                     _____   PREFACE               I would like to thank Afzal Shauq for allowing me the honor of being the translator of his poetry.  For the past two years I have attempted to express his work with the sensitivity and care it deserves.  I find his work insightful, passionate and honest.  He is a man driven by his dreams.  He seeks to find a perfection in life that can only live in dreams, but I respect his endless search for that perfection. When he speaks of his homeland and his people, one can feel the love and pain of this author. He knows the true meaning of devastation and loss. As witness to the suffering of his people, he speaks openly about it in his verse.  One merely has to read his words to feel the pain. Though some of his images are quite graphic, it is my belief that it makes the reader more aware of the people’s plight.  It is my hope the translations of his work will allow the world to share in the talent of this author.            As the reader finishes this work, may they appreciate how lucky they are in life. I hope they remember there are places in this world where people are suffering and dying. There are places in this world where people may not speak freely. There are people who are longing to find fulfillment; and willing to search the corners of the globe. There are people longing for love's perfection; yet, walking away empty.  My greatest hope for the reader is they will open their eyes, and realize... We may be from different lands... We may speak different languages... We may have different religious beliefs... We may have cultural differences... But when you get to what is basic in all human beings, we are all the same. We all smile, laugh, cry, want. love, lose, hunger, thirst, bleed and die.                     In closing, I would like to say Shauq never quit searching, dreaming or writing.  The world is a better place with your words in it. Thank you for trusting me with your words, and I would like to leave you with this poem...   THE MUSE   In darkness she comes Creeping in your dreams softly she whispers her face a blur...   The sun rises she is gone... You awake driven uncertain why ...   You grab your pen the words flow... And from her visit the world is blessed   You seek her out The one who haunts you Always she eludes ... yet she servers you well.   She is your muse The source of encouragement Moving you forward Keeping you searching.                                                                                                     Alley Boling Excerpt IN a time when there seems to be an unbridgeable gap between the east and west, two writers have come together to show the world through art bridges are built. THE EAST: Afghan, Afzal Shauq, highly respected author of poetry written in the Afghan language of Pashto. The collection of 333 poems expresses the feelings and experiences of the author and the Afghan people. THE WEST: Alley Boling, from the United States, driven by her desire for the English speaking world to understand all people share the same feelings desires and dreams dedicated herself to translating Shauq's poetry. IT is the writers' hope, though a TWIST OF FATES, may place us on opposite sides of the world, the art of poetry will bridge us together.

1. AFZAL SHAUQ : POET OF LOVE, LIFE, HUMANITY / Ayaz daudzai
Afzal Shauq is a shining star. He is a shining star in galaxy of the third generation of the present day Pashto poets and writers. The brave new generation is destined to become pioneer of post- modernism in Pashto literature.

One of their active and productive pals, Afzal Shauq , is anxious to tread that unbeaten path, in the domain of 21st century Pashto literature. He has acquired considerable grasp of the new trends and critical discourses on the Post-Modernism in the Western literature. Well educated and widely traveled in the countries of the east and west, he has closely studied the culture and the way of life of the countries he has visited. He has keenly observed the goings on and life style of the countries, having been the centres of the ancient civilization and culture such as, Egypt, Rome, London and Paris. In his travels, Afzal shauq , was fully equipped electronic gadgets of photography and audio cassettes recording. Besides visiting places of historical interest, literary institutions and cultural centres, he had rounds of busy bazaars, markets and parks, capturing and preserving landscapes and sound images, besides recording interviews and chatting with men and women in the streets and institutions.

Based on this pictorial and sonic material, he compiled three creatively conceived and inspiringly portrayed travelogues published in beautifully printed books. He has given frank and thought provoking accounts of what he had seen and heard, in well-written prose, interspersed with poetic pieces, composed on various occasions during his journey. He has also published two collections of his poetry, mostly consisting of prose poems. Another of his prose books is an experimental biographical novel of great literary merit. This novel is written in the perspective of Pharaoh’s era of Egypt, which merges ancient past with the present day space age.

The lead lady character is an Egyptian beauty (Shauq’s wife) and hero of the book is Shauq himself, with fictitious name Sailaney ( the traveler) . The heroin has been modeled after the enchanting queen of Egypt of yore, Cleopatra, whose enticing charm has been immortalized by Shakespeare, saying, her infinite variety can be withered by age, nor staled by custom.

Afzal Shauq is lucky enough as 333 of his selected prose poems have been translated to English by a gifted American damsel, Alley Boling, an intellectual, scientist, philosopher and a marvelous muse. A perfectionist, she devoted two long years of her precious multi – task carrier in Georgia, USA, to render into English verse Shauq’s poems, published under the title, TWIST OF FATES. She plans to publish the book in the United States, too. If effectively promoted through media and book – launching functions, it is quite possible that the book will hit the best sellers list in that country.

I feel that the plot of Shauq’s novel may have been inspired by his poem, published in the TWIST OF FATES. Here are relevant lines from the poem, titled “ Global Sign” ( dedicated to Dr. Ouahiba Sakani Afzal, dearest life partner of Afzal Shauq) , He says;

Daughter of Pharaoh
Queen of Egypt
For love’s sake
Places her Crown
At the feet
Of Pashtun Caesar,

The dominant themes of Afzal Shauq’s poetry, as published in the TWIST OF FATES, are love, life and humanity, which though amply dealt with in world literature, yet Shauq gives new meanings and dimensions to these ideas. He has written unique poems in starting, simple but evocative style, which at the same time are shocking, shaking, dazzling, amazing and soothing. He presents love as enriching, ennobling life and cementing humanity. Besides poetry, almost half the world’s philosophy is devoted to these three elements: “ Man is born free and has to live freely, without social taboos and restrictions and oppressive legal systems.

Mankind is the descendant of a single diving couple, Adam and Eve, and must live like brothers all over the globe, turning it into a paradise, lost by their heavenly ancestors. Equality, justice, and universal peace are yearning passion of Shauq. He abhors the idea of a global village …. Which is a codename for the enslavement of human being to be fettered by the exploitation might of market economy and technological superiority.

The most perplexing problem facing MAN today is, how to actualize the diction;

“ Live and let Live”

As Robert Browning says,

So free we seem
So fettered fast we are.

Shakespeare in Hamlet observes;

For who would bear whips and scorns of time,
The oppressor’s wrong, the proud man’s contumely,
The pangs of disprized love, the law’s delay,
The insolence of office and the spurns,
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

The grunt and sweat
Under the weary life.

William Black says,

Life delights in “ Life”.

A French anonymous song hits the bull’s – eye;

It’s love that
Makes the world
Go round.

Bertrand Russell philosophizes:

Broadly speaking, we are in the
Middle of a race between human
Skill as the “ means ” and
Human folly as the “ end “.

Shauq upholds the enlightened Zoroaster’s teaching, as propounded in the scripture - - Zhand – Avesta, about light and darkness. Light, he says, signifies the Good and darkness, the Evil. Both are at ceaseless war, against each other since time immemorial. It is the light, which will ultimately triumph. Zoroaster preached that Ormazd is the Lord of goodness, Light and Creator of mankind. He identified the deity of darkness and evil, as Ahriman. In Persian language and literature, Ahriman still stands for Satan, while Ormazd has been turned into Yazdan, meaning Allah Almighty. Zoroaster is believed to have lived in the 6th century BC.

Shauq is fully conscious of the complexities of life. He says;

Life is a snake crawling
Life’s path
Twist and turns
And the distances
Are always expanding

Yet, he is optimistic that life will shine with bright light at the end of the dark tunnel. This he portrays in the following lines..

The state
Graveyards
Yet new
Bushes grow
Bringing hope
For new
Life.

About love, Shauq says;

And with love
Culture
Location,
Belief,
All vanish,
This, I believe

Shauq is restless soul, always on the move, in the quest for peace, amity, and universal brotherhood. He years that;

Like travelers of yesterday
It would be my wish
To go to world’s corners
The white flag of peace,
The banner I would carry
Removing all the borders.
And whole humankind
Could join together
And in another two lines, Afzal Shauq, lark of thousands melodies, aspires;

For a white flag
To wave against the darkness.

Now, let us recall prophetic Goete’s dying words - - - only two words;

“ MORE LIGHT ”

AYAZ DAUDZAI
Rawalpindi / Pakistan

(Article published also in BalochistanTtimes/5/10/2006)

NOTE…..
(Read out at book launching ceremony, at the Pakistan Academy of Letters, Islamabad.
Book of Afzal Shauq’s poems, translated into English 21st September 2006)


WHISPERINGS OF PEACE / Lesa Gay
"A Friendly Smile Is The Best Weapon Of The War To Fight With... Let's Defeat Each Other With It And Occupy The Hearts To Control The Feelings That Favoring Our Wishes"......... Afzal Shauq

This quote greeted me the first time I paid a visit to Afzal's poetry page.

It is always a true gift, to open to a poets page and find the wish of caring and love.

It wanted to know more of the man that wrote the words and searched his titles, to repay the very kind compliments that he had left for me to find.

It matters not of what country you call home, or the color of your skin, or the language you speak, when Afzal's pages are opened.. You as the reader are greeted with warmth and compassion, as well as food for thought, to carry with you long after, you have moved on, within the life that is of the real.

The Internet is a magical tool, that connects people from all over the world, with only a click of a mouse. If it is used wisely, this tool becomes a gift, and messages from the heart are opened to people, that would otherwise, never find a way to meet.

His sincere hope to touch humanity, with the message of peace, is very evident. in each of his writes, that I have had the privilege of finding, my way to open . . . .

Continue your journey, my new friend Afzal, for the world is so in need of your message.

I wish you positive whisperings, each time you set before your keys, and open and receptive hearts, to read your words.

I can see that you have touched the hearts of many here at PP. I hope your heart sings, for it is not everyone that will take the time to try to spread peace amongst souls in the world we all share. It is a poets greatest compliment to be remembered in words by another poet. As I am browsing your titles tonight I see that you are much loved and admired.

It is my honor to call you friend. And let me done some comments to your few rich poems… hope you like them Afzal Shauq!

“Love Is Fountain. .Inspired By Afzal Shauq's Poem .. ‘Begging Heart’ / Jessica R” I have to agree with all that have spoken on Jessica R write. It is very beautiful and I understood the passage that seemed to be questioned completely. I am new to this go around of PP. Afzal was kind enough to give me a very warm welcome and I found you while starting a visit with him. An open invitation to drop by and meet me when you can. Have your speakers on. LOL You will understand when you get there. I truly did enjoy this. Blessings, Lesa

“Afghani Sorrow”, How entirely true! If people would only stop and think that if we were not placed in our perspective countries by the Great "I Am" We could have been African, Spanish, You could have been American and I could have been Pakistani. We are a world of human beings. Each loved in our own way by those we call family. Each grieved for if lost in battle or lost to the world of every day. We would be wise to realize that fact, and try to see through each others eyes. I loved this one.

“Being A Poet”, I have had a very rewarding visit with you today browsing within the halls of your heart. Your work is very meaningful, short and to the point. I have not quite mastered that yet for Aspiring has a tendency to ramble at times. I think as poets we all have to search our hearts to find the words to place on blank posting page. We get caught between the what is and the dream, and yet that is what brings us to claim the title poet. Enjoyed very much. Blessings, Lesa

“Child Of Dirt”, This was written with much emotion and carried through to your readers. In scanning your comments one said "If only there were another way" .... If only there were another way indeed. Blessings, Lesa

“An Answer”,T he worlds of poet's hearts speak a universal language. You write short but strong and I see a style that is somewhat of my own. I am speaking of the ....'s after your words. I have seen them in several of your writes today. You will see that I use this form many times as I write. A pause, perhaps not for the reader but for ourselves. Here it would seem that you have been searching for a very long time. But the answer .... Where is the answer? For us to find our answers we must find a way to continue the search. Very nicely done. Blessings, Lesa

“Almighty God , We all perceive God in our own way, but it does not mean that he is not universal. How could anyone look around at the beauty of this earth and really believe that it all just happened. He must be so very sad sometimes when he looks down upon us his creations. He is everywhere ... even in the tiny ant's too. Wonderful!

Dear readers !!

"You will find Afzal Shauq's words of the heart to be written well, with a message to humanity of peace. He endeavors to open the spirits eyes, with each stroke of his keys, and leaves the soul wishing, that there were more humanitarians with his same goals. If you, yourself, wish for peace and harmony for our world, you will not be disappointed to continue your journey within his words." ..Lesa Gay

It was a true honor to write my new poem “ The Peace Whisperer” for you Afzal. In fact it was the first thing in a very long time that aspiring consented to give me new to post to my site. You can see in my page.The conclusive lines of that poem are written as;

“The whispers heard upon the wind
The Dove Of Peace takes flight”

I wish you much success in your journey, and receptive hearts to read your words.

Sincerely,

Lesa Gay
Sparks, Nevada , United States Of America
http://PostPoems.com/members/aspiringangel_2

***


THE PERSONALITY ASSESSMENT OF AFZAL SHAUQ / Irene Ribachishina
In this world, full of eternal contradictions, there are people whose mind is filled with pure thoughts and whose heart sings the melodies of peace to give other thirsty souls the light of truth. Afzal Shauq is one of them.

Afzal Shauq’s poetry describes in beautiful words philosophy of eternal truths. Hope and faith run through the poems of this talented poet.

Afzal is a real supporter of peace. The poet truly believes that in the struggle for peace and justice the good forces will always triumph over the forces of evil.

His poems are filled with sincere love and a profound respect for the whole human race.

Afzal Shauq’s poetry serves as a guiding light for the souls who lost their way.

He fights for peace with the power of his spirit. And the best poet’s weapon in this battle is his pen.

His words of wisdom bring peace of mind to every troubled soul.

Through his poetry the author shares generously the light of kindness with all his readers.

In his poem “A Great Wonder” the author gives a wonderful description of the dual nature of the human being with his divine immortal soul living in the physical shell.

If someone lost faith in the labyrinths of life then Afzal’s poem “A New Dawn” will definitely help restore it by demonstrating perfectly how faith in better future can work miracles with the human mind by helping it look at everything around with hope in the heart.

Afzal Shauq is one of those who loves his language and understands that the language is the voice of the human soul. And the poem “Anthem” is an amazingly heartfelt prayer of the poet to the universe for keeping the language of the nation for future generations.

As a real creative personality Afzal derives his inspiration from his dreams and considers them as his second reality where his mind and soul reside. His poem “Dreams” depicts gracefully the real nature of the dreams from the author’s point of view, seen only on the inner screen of a soul, but playing an important role in human life on the way to self-knowledge and self-development.

As an enlightened soul Afzal always thinks about the truths which rule this world. And he speaks about it in the poem “Life”. This is a touching poem about the true meaning of life which each human being will have to find on the roads of destiny. All human beings are born with their own predestination. To discover it they should free their mind from limiting thoughts and look at the world with the eyes of a newborn soul which is thirsty for knowledge.

As an experienced poet he writes an ode to something that plays significant meaning in his literary life - a “Pen”. It’s an amazing poem about the writer’s best friend - the pen, which commits to paper all reflections of the creative mind.

Afzal,
May inspiration always guide you!

Irene Ribachishina
Kiev / UKRAINE
http://PostPoems.com/members/irene