The use of ancient works in the poetry of Yahya al-Samawi (The Diwan of “Tayammami Barmadi” and the Diwan of “Nahron Bithalatha Zafaf” as two samples)

This study, entitled “The Use of Literary Heritage in the Poetry of Yahya al-Samawi”, seeks to show the importance and role of the use of literary heritage and cultural and historical works in contemporary Arabic poetry because contemporary literary works are full of ancient literary works and the use of these works has penetrated to the depths of the aesthetic and artistic aspects of contemporary Arabic poetry. The use of literary works from past periods has created a kind of connection between generations and strengthens the relationship between the past and the present, because past periods have played a major role in the formation of man and his intellectual and artistic structure and roadmap. These works have dimensions that go beyond the obstacles of the subject and move towards expressing the identity and healing of the failures that the present suffers from in order to paint a better future.

The use of literary and cultural works of the past is a fundamental method of modern poetry that has forced some to search for its sources. These sources can be religious, literary, historical, indigenous, and mystical, each of which in turn has enriched contemporary literature. In this regard, contemporary poets have relied on the use of past literary texts and historical personalities and events that have played a role in changing events and the resulting changes in society and various cultures, relying on the use of these aspects. Using past literary texts and historical figures as a phenomenon helps to strengthen the text and express literary feelings and thoughts.

The poet “Yahya Al-Samawi” is also one of the poets who has used this method in his literary works, and the use of these works has caused his poetry to become a clear mirror of the realities of his life. Relying on a collection of past literary sources, he was able to easily convey his message to his audience. This made his poetry full of situations and historical events that distinguished his literary works and texts and made them an interesting subject for research. The present study has followed the path of the poet “Yahya Al-Samawi” in using the literary works of the past. Also, this research dealt with a part of the poet’s biography. In particular, he has been forced to emigrate and has experienced the hardships of homelessness and living far away from home, an issue that has added another dimension to his poetry, influenced his literary works and contributed to their richness.

Among the results obtained from this research is that the poet “Yahya Al-Samawi” has used the literary, cultural, and historical works of the past as the main material for the transfer of his experiences, and his relationship with these works is a relationship of understanding and a conscious understanding of the meaning of humanity. In this regard, he has turned the intertextual method into an intelligent mechanism and tool, and has relied on religious, literary, historical, and social culture as the most important source and decoration factor in his poems. These sources and factors have provided him with numerous artistic, spiritual, and sometimes political and possibly cultural reasons. In this regard, religious sources and those inspired by values such as justice, freedom, and high human values have had the greatest share in the texts of this poet. The poet has not forgotten his literary and historical roots, but has incorporated them into his works with all of his artistry and distinct style. He has not ignored native works and has contributed to them in his poems.