Bahraini-British bard Taher Adel is shining a global spotlight on the kingdom’s creative talent with his recent poem about cultural identities published in a top UK literary magazine.
Twelve Million, which just appeared in the Poetry London magazine, explores identity and the richness of the Arabic language against the backdrop of modern European culture.
Poetry and identity are inseparable to the poet. “Poetry allows us to explore the depths of who we are – be it identity, emotions, metaphysics or spirituality,” the London-based writer told the GDN. “Poetry is the voice of humanity and for me, there is no greater expression.”
Loss
For Mr Adel, who moved from Manama to Ealing in West London with his Bahraini parents when he was just a toddler, a sense of loss and questions of identity have been a constant shadow.
In his poem These Seas, the spoken word artist speaks of ‘the opera of the lost’, who to him are the ‘many Bahrainis who spent generations abroad until their lives were lost to the West, yet they still yearn for home like migratory birds singing of old trees and nests’.
This shared feeling became common ground with expatriate childhood friends who also grew up far away from their roots.
He first returned to Bahrain on holiday with his family in 2001, and recalls ‘coming out of the plane to pure humidity which until today has a distinctive smell that evokes that initial sequence of memories’.
Since then, he visited almost every summer, at least until the Covid-19 pandemic hit global travel opportunities.
In These Seas, his visits to the country are metaphorically described as pearl-diving expeditions by the writer who considers his memories of the kingdom as precious as the gems it is famous for, particularly due to an affinity with family and home.
“The feeling of family is an understated privilege, apparent only when I set foot in Bahrain,” he explained. “But being Bahraini means wherever I go, I take my home with me. I am my people and my people will always be me.”
As he grew up, Mr Adel pursued an undergraduate education in medical engineering from the City University of London and a master’s degree in creative writing and poetry from the University of East Anglia.
He now works as a medical engineer and medical sales manager, but continues to dedicate time to his true calling … poetry.
He drew inspiration from English-language poets like William Butler Yeats, John Keats, and William Blake, as well as Arabic rhymesters such as Khalil Gibran and Nizar Qabbani.
He has since had his work published in 30 literary journals, including Ambit and The New European. He also published a collection of poems called Lost and Found in 2018, featuring his earliest works and exploring themes of spirituality and identity.
Bahraini talent should not be underestimated, according to the poet: “If one nation can pride itself on creativity, it is ours.”
He urges aspiring writers to ‘embrace their identity in poetry’. Dedicate time to consistently write with ‘no prerequisites as it is a muscle that constantly needs exercise’.
“See every page as a new land ready to be explored. Even if you cannot write authentically at first, your voice will filter through until everything you write becomes you. Show your work to other people and seek critique,” he explained.
“Create a platform to share your poetry with the world. They will give you the confidence to keep writing and share your work with larger audiences.”
Mr Adel himself continues his lyrical exploration of Arabic etymology, spirituality and identity, to be distilled into three publications by the end of the year, and he hopes to include a novel amongst his literary achievements in the future.
amal@gdn.com.bh
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