Shāh-e Gomshuda-ye Shatranj
Shāh-e Gomshuda-ye Shatranj (The Lost King of Chess) by the seasoned poet from Afghanistan Hasib Ahrari, is a masterful collection of Persian poetry that bridges classical themes with contemporary reflections. Each poem is a testament to the poet's unique ability to weave intricate imagery with philosophical depth, creating a tapestry of emotions and insights that resonate with readers from all walks of life, challenging them to look beyond the superficial and embrace the depth of poetic expression.
Spanning over 500 pages, this powerful and deeply evocative work is divided into five distinct sections:
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Ghazals (Ghazal-hā): This traditional lyrical poems are rich with emotion and philosophical depth. Hasib Ahrari’s ghazals echo a bold, rebellious voice that challenges religious hypocrisy, and are marked by sharp irony, fearless critique of clerics and institutions, and a deep yearning for spiritual truth. It serves as a poetic rebellion against imposed beliefs, raising the voice of a free-thinking individual.
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Incomplete Ghazals (Nātakmīl Ghazal-hā): These are fragmented yet resonant verses that offer glimpses into unfinished thoughts and open-ended longing. The fragmented nature adds a unique charm, where the emotional momentum is considered more relevant here than structured closure.
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Single Verses (Tak-Bayt-hā): Standalone couplets are marked by their brevity, depth, and immediacy, distilling profound reflections into compact yet resonant poetic expressions that linger with the reader long after reading.
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Do-Baytis and Rubāʿiyāt (Do-Baytī-hā va Rubāʿiyāt): Classical four-line verses that reflect themes from mysticism and social criticism to romantic longing and existential reflection.
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Nimā’ī and Free Verse Poems (Nīmāī va Sepīd-Sorūd-hā): The last section covers modern, unbound poems free in form but deliberate in rhythm—express grief, exile, longing, resistance, identity, and spiritual reflection.
The Lost King of Chess is both a personal testament and a poetic mirror of a generation shaped by displacement and resilience. It is a book that speaks to the soul—with sorrow, beauty, and burning clarity.