Writing in “The Night’s Night” is Ahmed Balhamer’s compass

Poet Ahmed Balhamar (from source)

Friday 1 December 2023 / 18:58

Most of the poems have single-word titles, including Nostalgia, Dust, My Loss, Separation, My Friends, Division, Escape, Leak, Point, Measure, Exchange, Chaos, Rain, Burn, Shadow, Our Story, Limits, Days. , etc. But will not the reader find in the pages of the anthology a text entitled “The Night’s Vessel,” as other poets are accustomed?

Most of the poet’s texts are sensitive and emotional, reflecting his outlook on life, and they carry many meanings of the night, its sadness, vocabulary and atmosphere. The poet wrote on the cover of the book covered by the darkness of a dark night, so we read there:
I wrote it in the middle of the night and on the streets of memories
It’s like I’m there every step of the way
And in every word
I draw the way to my heart
So I walked with the poem in hand.
Here we see what writing represents to its poet, as poetry accompanies him on his journey as a faithful friend, leaning on his arm and strengthening him, being his compass on the paths of life.

Ahmed Umar Balhamar, who holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering and works in its field, says: “I started my journey by writing 10 years ago, and then wrote an occasional newspaper article titled “Broadcast” in Al-Anba, a Kuwaiti newspaper. After that, I wrote in the Egyptian newspaper “Rose Al-Youssef” in the same year. Around a period of time, I collected the articles and published them as a book titled “Getting to Know You” by Al-Raitiyya Publishing House. and distribution house in Saudi Arabia. The articles were varied but most of them social and discussed scenes that attracted me from the reality of life and its daily occurrences.
About the development of his literary talent, Balhamar confirmed to 24: “The process of human self-development begins and does not end, it continues and does not stop. From childhood, the passion for reading and the hunger for knowledge came together. With me, it is with me to this day.
He said about the most important writers who influenced him: “I read many authors and authors, and the names never attracted me, but rather, I was attracted by the strength of the written words, their sweetness and the degree of their difference. I’m not influenced by one author over another, all the books I’ve read have influenced me in one way or another, there’s no doubt about that.” I’ve influenced the minds of others who read me. Yes, the process is intimate. It’s possible for contagion to spread without us noticing.”
Ahmed Balhamar writes in classical and colloquial, and in response to the question of who is closest to his heart, how the genre of poetry determines the moment of inspiration, he added: “All literary genres are dear and close to me. My literary taste, but colloquial dialect is closer to the listeners because It is their spoken language, but as for inspiration, a strange creature meets a person without permission or acquaintance, surprises us at strange times and places. To be frank, I do not choose the form and symbolism of poetry when I write. Words are the master of will, they impose their presence and form on the white, They decide when to start and when to end.
Commenting on the tendency of many poets to write novels in the current era, and whether Balhamer would remain loyal to the poetic field, or consider writing fiction, he says, “Up to this moment I had no idea. Writing a work of fiction, but I don’t know if I will knock on this door in the future or continue. “Clinging to my old place and loyal only to poetry.”
Regarding the source of inspiration for his poems or essays, he said: “Ideas are born in the conscience of the writer, through his interaction with people and society, his daily activities with them and observation of what is happening in the world around him. “

It is noteworthy that Ahmed Balhamar participated in many poetry evenings in the Emirates Writers and Authors Association and other cultural organizations, he regularly attends cultural events and events. In colloquialism, Napati Publishing House and some of his works were translated into the language.
In the collection of poems “Ana al-Layl” titled “Lost” we read:
you
Your shadow has not left you since the sunrise
Until the full moon and starry evening come
How lucky you are
My sun rose and set
And my shadow is still missing.