Ariadne’s Notes:

 The World Poetry Ambassador AMITA SANGHVI from Oman,  phoned in and hosted from Oman on World Poetry Poetry Cafe, CFRO 1005.FM,  June 13^th   2019 ; the poet Ali Mehdi  who was keen on peace and was a poet and a wonderful short story writer.

This is the first in the series of the World Poetry Ambassador whose goal is to introduce poets from Oman to the world . World Poetry Canada International hopes that other W.P.C. ambassadors will do the same in their different countries. Also, at the Vancouver, BC Coop Radio Station were: Ariadne Sawyer, MA, host and producer , host Dr. Diego Bastinutti. super tech, Victor Schwartzman and special volunteer, Sharon Rowe. 

LISTEN TO THE SHOW HERE!

Ali Mehdi (1978- 2008)

Ali Mehdi juggled in many roles as a poet, a columnist and a prolific blogger and writer.  He initiated several blog sites that were very popular among his generation; there sites were:

• Sleepless in Muscat

• Rapidly Blue

• Oman Community Blog

• A Secret Arabian Journal

• Pens of Passion

• Gonu Relief Blog

• Photo Generation

• Hope of Islam

• المدى الأزرق

Ali Mehdi published three collections of his poetry: Rapidly Blue (2002), Wondrous World (2005) and his posthumous book, ‘In the Dimmest of Light’ (2008) and numerous columns and articles on his blog sites, the online edition of the Times of Oman, Oman Daily Observer, The Week and Sultan Qaboos University’s Horizon.

On reading ‘Wondrous World’ I had this initial impression/ reflection on his poems.

Amidst cathartic out-pour of thoughts and wishes, I have found and collected the ‘real gems’, those words and phrases, lyrical images and metaphors, that capture and represent the mindful philosophical Ali.

The jewel collection which I am editing and will soon be published, will contain edited poetry from all his three books, re-edited for impact. The essence of his poetry has its impact in brevity; where each poem hammers and echoes universal feelings and invaluable meaning. These priceless ‘jewels’ I have gathered and edited his poems from across his entire works. Here are a few:

Superman-I

Unblinking,

In the eye of Death,

Story less

Future less

Tears unshed:

Superman, indeed.

Unblinking,

In the eye of Death.

 

Superman-II

Super-manly?

I’m not that kind of a person,

Although I try to be

That kind of man-

To look upon danger,

Unblinking,

To move on, again.

 

I smile,

But somehow

Its out of place,

Not so super manly.

 

Superman- III

Upon her smile,

In love I stumble,

In her eyes

To be a Superman,

My heart tries.

Ali Mehdi (C) All rights reserved.

“These are but a glimpse of his heart and mind; his short stories are worth a whole new article that I will come up with in the near future.

To Ali, writing was an integral ingredient of his survival kit.

Ali held a BA with honors, from Luton University in collaboration with Majan University College in Muscat majoring in Business Administration (Tourism).

Prof. Gargi Chugh, (Senior Quality Expert at OAAA and Honorary President of the Indian International Cambridge School Management Committee) who taught him in Majan college, recalls Ali wistfully:

“I remember Ali as a very gentle, lost in his thoughts kind of a student. He was always good with words and a charmer always!!! I still remember his lovely smile.”

 Following this degree, he joined a professional diploma course in Insurance at the College of Banking and Financial Studies but was often interrupted due to illness.

Ali traveled not only in the depths of his soul, but also extensively throughout the World and enjoyed learning from and about other individuals and cultures; this precisely makes him so suitable a poet to be introduced on the WORLD POETRY CANADA Forum as the first voice of Oman, writing poetry in English.

Ali was an amicable, sociable, affable and transparent individual.  He loathed hypocrisy and sought fulfillment in open-minded, down-to-earth and truthful exchange of thoughts and feelings.

Sadly, his soul-searching expeditions had to come to an end when he succumbed to his illness, on his hospital bed on June 21st 2008, among family.

Ali Mehdi left a legacy of a young courageous daring individual and an articulate poet and columnist who sought to reach out with an earnest desire to change the World and reintroduce sincerity and truthfulness in our lives and relationships.  That was his never ending desire and quest.  He touched the lives of many with his openness, sincerity, dedication and noble selflessness.  He kept reminding us of his fighting attributes by often saying that he managed to “snatch success out of the jaws of defeat.”

A person is his thoughts and words. Ali Mehdi is always among us with his thoughts and words questioning, seeking, consoling, sharing deep concerns, deeper uncertainties and deepest fears that bind all humanity.

A poet lives on, forever.

His thoughts and words are universal and at once deeply personal, and this in itself make his poetry so connectable to every soul, every reader.”

By AMITA SANGHVI 

(M.A., M. PHIL, B.ED FROM MUMBAI UNIVERSITY, INDIA, AND M.A. (TESOL) FROM UNIVERSITY OF LANCASTER, UK)

POET AND FACULTY AT SULTAN QABOOS UNIVERSITY, MUSCAT, OMAN