Step into the timeless realm of classical literature, where the echoes resonate through the pages that whisper tales of love, conflict, and the eternal quest for meaning. These timeless works, crafted by masters of the written word, invite readers to traverse diverse landscapes of humanistic experiences—from Homer's heroic epics to Jane Austen's poignant imitations. Each Classic severs a door that opens into a sensual dimension, illuminating the values, struggles, and dreams of exploration with various universal themes. As I dwell on these legendary literary treasures that are captivated by the richness of language, traditions, depth, and enduring truths that continuously shape my understanding.
On the flip side, the world of poetry is a rich tapestry woven from the threads of both traditions and innovations. Classic works have shaped not only the form and structure of poetry but also its profoundly demonstrative and sensational refrains. As Contemporary poets engage with classic forms, they not only recompense homage to their literary predecessors but also reinterpret these structures to imitate modern refrains and sensibilities. Intertextuality creates a door to enter the Greek dimension. Many Modern Poets engage with classic works, reinterpreting and responding to them in their contemporary pieces of writing, creating layers of meaning that resonate with their presence. As Muhammad Adnan beautifully highlights the chain of emblems in classical dimension in his essay “Classics classically classifies the cases of English Poetry”
As I stepped into the moonlight, my poem Appraisal of Her Beauty, wondrously woven the essentials of Greek mythological typescripts to unveil the aura of highlighted wisdom, relishing beauty, and magnificence of love. The Great Greeks are reinvited with the essence of creativity and color in contemporary times. The artistic portrayal of Greek gods and goddesses like Apollo, Aphrodite, Athena, Hera, and Selena. I highlight the aroma of physical allure and affectional art of Aphrodite. Being a contemporary poet, I adore Athena`s wisdom, power of peace, Selena`s Celestial presence, Apollo`s admiration, and Aphrodite`s love.
Beyond the blue clouds and white ocean
Poetry switches and swings with the Greek notion
High up in the sky, Apollo whispers her artistic aura
Even beguiles the wariness of Hera, keeping in flora
And Aphrodite loves her love, acclaims the veiling devotion
Dance in dazzle, her imprints utter, gentle compels in motion
Vehemently, Venus often invites her beauty,
So far, Athena adores her victorious duty
Apollo offers her, his arrow, yet, to conquer the sparrow
Wisdom bows before her knees bamboozle the rough and narrow
She befriends Aphrodite and Athena for the scent of loveliness
All, with Selena, who clicks her on the moon for a dress
Appraise her aroma, in sliver stars, Selena opens art.
Appraisal of Her Beauty by Tajalla Qureshi
As I ventured into the unknowns, another poem, Athena`s Apollo, also drew me to revisit and revive classical forms by capturing the rich tapestry of Greek mythology, particularly through the characters of Athena and Apollo. By intertwining wisdom, art, knowledge, and esthetical admiration the classical images evoke and choke the timeless ideals that beautifully define the beauty and virtue of the classical era. It whispers the language of acceptance love, freedom of admiration, and understanding yet bounded in forms. I highly weigh the beauty of wisdom and sense of divine affection in Athena and Apollo`s characters, as seen in the line “Cherish the preponderance of love at miles” which reveals the concept of transcending both distance and time, echoing the enduring relevance of classical ideas. Moreover, I showcase love and beauty as an ever-lasting canvas of possibilities as the intimacy of texts changed in the quiet of midnight.
“Hovering over the sky, he often replies
to the veracity of wisdom, she, Athena
Cherish the preponderance of love at miles
Apollo retains the luxurious arena”
Hence, contemporary poets are exceedingly influenced by Greek elements: Wisdom as ever turning compass, Beauty as the mirror with many facets, and Love as the fragmented flame. Additionally, the reflection of Greek belief in the transformative power of art, not just as a visual or auditory experience, but it a force that awakens the senses and stirs the soul.
“Sometimes, green adores your heart
and Apollo dances with mirth and March
She, the Starfire encircles the melodious art
An affection, a reflection, Apollo owns the starch”
Athena`s Apollo by Tajalla Qureshi
Every Sunrise brought a chance to rewrite, Respected: Muhammad Adnan, as a transnational poet, juxtaposes Eastern and Western influences. He artistically deploys Greek myths in his poetry, explicitly bridging evocative images from both traditions. This approach reflects T.S. Eliot’s belief in the importance of tradition in a poet’s growth. Adnan’s poetic dynamics are rooted in the richness of traditional poetry, drawing upon the art of Homer, Virgil, Pindar, Dante, and Boccaccio. Respected Adnan artistically crafted expression, full of classical allusions and vivid imagery. It seems to me that classics are swinging with a thread that knots the approbation and reassurance of Beauty, Love, and Wisdom from Great Greeks with contemporary embers magnificently. His artistic creations like “My Greek Warrior”, “Tangible Trance”, “A Light Jill”, “To Consistency”, “You are my untold tale”, “Lioness of Grace”, A song sung by Telemachus”, “On his 24th birthday” and “You deserve more” holds the classical inspirations. I mention the selected verses below.
#1
“Your vanity is the vanity of Athena
Your pride is the pride of Odysseus
Your heart seems to be Castle of Calypso
Your aura is Palace of Cerci;
You are my Greek Warrior”
Coupled with that, I showcase the harmony between intellect and creativity, an essential theme in classical literature. I reckon the beauty, wisdom, and creativity in classics are living testaments for contemporaries. However, the interdisciplinary approach of blending poetry with visual arts and music reflects the holistic appreciation of beauty found in classical. By way of time encore, the emblem of love is a mosaic of fleeting moments, scattered like sparks from a campfire, each flame has a different hue. Respected Adnan`s Classical influence continues to cast a long and luminous shadow over contemporary expressions. The Tale of Odysseus`s voyage becomes a metaphor that exemplifies resilience through the characters and impressions. Here, I extracted the influential verses from these thought-provoking poems.
“You are the fairy of Spencer's Queen
You are a dazzling wing of Spleen
Eye blinks in the search for Helen
Parris cherishes the sight even fallen”
My Greek Warrior by Muhammad Adnan
Furthermore, I telltale that contemporary poets have evolved while retaining echoes of classical ideals. In ancient Greece and Rome, poets were seen as voices of truth, visionaries, and a sense of admiration for divinity, unity, and healing power, and contemporary poets continue to echo back and unearth those traditions to inspire changes and provoke thoughts like an electric connection between the souls of different eras.
#2
“Facing the stormy storm
She stands firm and never fads
standing like Penelope, she sips transparency
Athena she is, I call her Consistency;
A thing of beauty is forever
Hymn to commoners she whispers ever”
To Consistency by Muhammad Adnan
#3
In an age flooded with information and knowledge,
“Hear! Classic Hera
How do you refuge in this era
walking like a peacock, you pace delicately
Birds stop twittering in the tree hastily”
As turned over, the back-and-forth between contemporary poets and classic forms highlights the dynamic nature of poetry. By reimagining traditional structures, poets continue to reconnoiter and reinterpret classic forms, they retell that poetry is a living art that evolves while remaining rooted in the rich tapestry of human emotion and expression.
“Athena shies before your aura.
Hera cherishes your visage”
You are my untold tale by Muhammad Adnan
As I pondered through the veil again in the contemporary era, love, beauty, and wisdom are like threads weaving through the fabric of our values of divinity and infinity. Love becomes the courage to connect and accept the phrases and mazes; Beauty renovates into the aptitude to find elegance and embrace the authentic phase and face; and Wisdom chaperons the genuine to live with openness, and adaptability to admit imperfection. I reckon Love seeks beauty in the honest and the real as purity hits the purity,
Through their creative endeavors, contemporary poets ensure that the legacy of tradition remains vibrant and relevant, inviting new generations to engage with the beauty and complexity of poetry. The fusion of classical and contemporary is not a mere echo of the past but a vibrant dialogue that pushes the boundaries of what poetry can be, bridging the centuries with the timeless language of verse.
Tajalla Qureshi
Co-founder and Co-Editor of “The Wordsmith E-Magazine”
Insight Interviewer, Promotional Director at Insight Magazine USA
President of FEMALPC< Pakistan-Peru Federation
Youth Member of Society at MISS FEROZ UL DIN High School, Pakistan
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
TAJALLA QURESHI
Tajalla Qureshi - a literary enchantress who weaves tapestries of thoughts and emotions with the finesse of a master artisan in the realm of words. She is a gifted wordsmith from Pakistan.
Thereupon, she is the visionary Co-Founder and Co-Editor of The Wordsmith Magazine, where words are woven into magic. Her pen swings across the globe, leaving a trail of mesmerizing poems and columns that captivate readers worldwide. She is a multi-talented creative force who wears many fedoras with elegance and flair. She is named as Miss 20th Century Poetry at the University of Chenab, Gujrat.
On the flip, her writings have been glorified in Pakistan, Germany, Canada, Africa, America, and India in many E-papers, Anthologies, Magazines, and Websites. She was highlighted as the top-ranked Author in many poetic presentations and poetic competitions at international forums. Her published poem: My Phoenix had been arranged in the final term exam for the students of literature at the University of Lahore, Gujrat.
Coupled with that, her articles have been printed in German Magazine and American Newspapers and her poetry has been published in more than 30 International and National Anthologies, in German, Indian, Canadian Magazines, and African Newspapers. Like a shooting star, her literary presence blazes across the firmament, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of all who encounter her work.