Socio cultural aspects of modern Arabic prison poetry in Iraq and Palestine An analytical study

Abstract

Prison poetry refers to a genre of literary expression created by individuals incarcerated in prisons. It encompasses a range of poetic forms, including free verse, sonnets, and haikus, and serves as a powerful medium for conveying personal experiences, emotions, and reflections while in confinement. This analytical study delves into the socio—cultural dimensions of modern Arabic prison poetry, focusing on its manifestation in Palestine and Iraq. Emerging from contexts of political oppression and conflict, such poetry serves as a profound medium for expressing resistance, identity, and resilience. In Palestine, poets like Tawfiq Ziyad, Sameeh al qasim and Mahmoud Darwish have utilized their incarceration experiences to craft verses that articulate the collective suffering and steadfastness of their people. Similarly, in Iraq, figures such as Muhammed Mahdi al jawahiri, Mudaffar navab and Ahammed swafi najafi have explored themes of imprisonment, both literal and metaphorical, reflecting on personal and national struggles. This study employs a descriptive—analytical approach to examine how these poets' works transcend mere literary expression, becoming acts of dafiance and cultural preservation. By analyzing their poetry, the research highlights the role of literary expression in- maintaining cultural identity and fostering solidarity in the face of adversity. The findings underscore the enduring power of poetry as a tool for resistance and a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.