Lost in a Fairy Tale – Poetry from Yemen by Raghda Gamal
By Irena Knehtl
May 02, 2011
The world constantly changes across time and space, from day to day, from one place to another. And human beings are no exception for we too are in transformation. To begin with, our own lives as individuals are an exercise in adaptation.
Human beings are enterprising agents of change, transforming their environments and, in the process, transforming themselves, thereby challenging any simple sense of a fixed, immutable human nature.
And yet the human condition stubbornly remains and when, across time and distance, we recognize ourselves in other and others in ourselves, do we not recognize something enduring? Is there anything that captures simultaneously things in flux and things that do not change?
Of course, there is, and that is poetry. Our language, of course, are different and the ways which we place words, phrases and sentences may vary, as do the forms and meters of our poetries.
But poetry, through its diverse shapes and rhythms, draws us back to the dialogue of change and permanence in life itself.
Poetess from Sana`a, Yemen Ms. Raghda Gamal welcome to the feature
Q: Would you like to tell us something about yourself?
Raghda: I´m a Yemeni young lady and love my country more than anything else.
I am brave enough to publish a collection of poetry in a language other than my mother tongue.
I love reading, especially novels. Any novel could be my favorite. As far as music in general, I love pop and country music but my all time favorite is Tchaikovsky´s Swan Lake.
There is no place I love more than Yemen, in particular The Old Sana´a. That`s why I insisted to show its beauty on a book cover of my first poetry collection.
Q: Last March your first collection of poetry in English under the title "Lost in a Fairy Tale" was published in Sana`a, Yemen. Would you like to introduce your collection?
Raghda: "Lost in a Fairy Tale" is a collection of poems written in the English language. It contains 33 poems spanning in nine chapters which revolve around relationships, friendship, family, home, passion, frustration, grief and the inner thoughts of any Arab woman.
Q: The beauty of poetry reminds us of the artistic heights which humans can reach. Why the title "Lost in a Fairy Tale", what was the inspiration?
Raghda: Usually, any girl while growing up listens to many romantic fairy tales.
But after she grows up, she faces the reality, which does not resemble those stories, in particular in the Yemeni society. As result Yemeni women are - from time to time - lost in their dreams, traditions and many other factors during her life journey.
The reader will discover that my book begins with a introductory poem into a girl´ s wandering world and from chapter to chapter continues with her life journey.
Q: You set up a Facebook page under the same title, what responses, messages of support are you getting from Yemen and beyond?
Raghda: Honestly; I did not expect such great reviews. Almost every Yemeni website and newspaper is talking about my book! In addition to many emails from foreign journalists and researchers asking me about the book.
Q: Allow a glimpse into setting in which you write?
Raghda: You want know a secret, I wrote most of my poems during the boring classes at college. I would sit at the back of the class; open my notebook and write.
Q: Through language, we express our different belief, values and experiences, and the plurality of this flow of identities makes up humanity. It articulates – sometimes simply, sometimes with deep complexity – our fears, hopes, yearnings and forebodings…. which are those facing a Yemeni female?
Raghda: Yemeni female as any other female in today`s world faces obstacles.
The major challenges facing Yemeni women – is her family and family rules that prevent her to go beyond what the extended or big family believes in.
Q: In its highest forms, poetry is capable of expressing a "truth" which captures the essences of our shared humanity. Which are those and what sets us apart?
Raghda: The poetry reflects human feeling and this is what humanity is all about.
It´s our feelings which can gather or sets us apart.
Q: It is not only the subject-matter of these poems which exhibits a heartening variety. But an urgent wish to change men and things for the better. What can be done, what do you propose…..
Raghda: If we want change, we need to be honest with ourselves and to be more open to mistakes and challenges we are facing. In my book I try the first step, of being honest and talk a loud or go public about my inner thoughts.
Q: Would you like to see your collection as "youth culture, as agents of change in Yemen"?
Raghda: Of course! I´m one of those youth who are calling for change! That`s why my book signing ceremony was held at the Change Square in Sana`a.
Q: What other messages are hidden in your poetry?
Raghda: Well, I´ll leave to my readers to find out.
Q: There are poems dedicated to Yemen and your home. Yemen this spring is undergoing a time of Change. How are you experiencing those and what do you wish for Yemen?
Raghda: You can´t imagine how proud I am of what it´s going on in my beloved country Yemen. It´s a glorious time for Yemen because it´s a time of change and freedom. I feel honored that I´m one of Yemeni youth who finally stand up and said NO against the injustice.
Q: What is next for you?
Raghda: Nowadays I´m focusing on my studies as I´m completing a master's degree in journalism. I may write a collection of short stories or even a novel in the future.
Q: Final thoughts, messages, invitation you wish to share?
Raghda: I want to send my best wishes to my little brother Magdi on his fifteen´ birthday end of this month April. Magdi is the one who did the graphic design of my book. He added some beautiful flavor to the cover photo and to the collection in general.
All interested welcome to join my Facebook group.
Raghda Gamal in Sana`a, Yemen thank you.
Yemen
You give me the safety that I need and
Enough happiness to last forever
My beautiful country
Even if they said maybe and
Nagged about you
You´ll be great forever
From "Lost in Fairy Tale"
ABOUT RAGHDA GAMAL
Raghda is a Yemeni journalist, born on the 30th November, 1985. She holds Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism (2010), a Bachelor´s Degree in English Language Education (2008) and a Diploma in English Language (2006).
Since 2008, she has been working as Culture Editor for several Yemeni newspapers in both Arabic and English. During her work she was honored six times by five different Ministers in recognition for her excellent work in writing and reporting.
ABOUT THE COLLECTION
"Lost in a Fairy Tale" Poems by Raghda Gamal
In English, Published in Sana`a, Yemen
ISBN 544/2010
Join Raghda´s "Lost in a Fairy Tale" group on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_161679997223245&ap=1
Raghda´ blog:
http://missraghdagamal.blogspot.com
Image: Book cover "Lost in a Fairly Tale", poetry by Ragda Gamal
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