I have published some of my poems during 1997. Ever since I have continued writing more poetry on different themes.

Most of my poems describe the Maldives, revealing the natural beauty of the small islands and also about their rapid progress.

Other poems reflect my thoughts, feelings and desire.

I have tried to express my mental impression or conception in this collection of poems.

I think poetry is more solid and more resonant than prose.

You can't read a poem unless you realise that it is physical object as well as an abstract vehicle for conveying ideas.

ALI SHAREEF
H. Filigasdhoshuge..

Love and Nature brings forth the subtle and finer sentiments of human mind. A lover's heart is 'a burning furnace', where feelings are refined. Emotions and sentiments give way to ‘images and symbols’ that may spill over in various forms. Love of Nature to many is inalienable from one’s own self. Early history of mankind tells the tale of man’s struggle with Nature. No doubt, the exquisite beauty of the islands filled with coconut groves, virgin beaches and the underwater world of this coral land as well, has thoughts of human mind and found the expression of that spontaneity probably in varied forms. Ali Shareef too gives expression to this spontaneous outflow of feelings trough his poems.

Writing a ‘foreword’ for a collection of poems written by Ali Shareef, a known poet from Maldives is indeed an honor bestowed upon me. I had seriously gone through his previous collections that made me call him ‘the poet of the Maldivian archipelago’. He expressed in those collection his love to this unpolluted, unembraced, serene and virgin islands; it also echoed the vibrant voices of a poet: voices of agony and anguish concerning of human inequalities, and protesting on human exploitations; fiercely fighting, identifying himself with the oppressed, to unchain the slavery in chechniya, Kosovo or Bosnia for example.

The present collection of poems also indelibly imprints Ali Shareef as a poet of Nature. The image and symbols he presents are varied, color full and nostalgic;

“Breaking the silence in the morning
Rhythmic sounds of waves splashing
Home – like feeling to hear fronds’ murmurs
And on the beach, crabs in their holes, peeping” (on an island)

And, when he writes on his own land, he is so prolific that he unbridles his feelings.

“As if emeralds, flung in the aquamarine sea…
Reflecting the azure of the sky, with fluffy clouds…
Silvery sand rings the turquoise lagoon (My Beloved Native Land)

Ali Shareef has etched his patriotic heart as he describes the immortal hero from Utheemu, Mohamed Thakurufanu the Great and the martyrs of the expedition, who fought day and night to achieve the independence and sovereignty of Maldives. In his poems, “Hail Our Leader” and “A popular Leader” he salutes President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, ‘a hero who saved the country’ and visualize the fact that

“We need your wisdom more than ever before,
In our endeavor to proceed towards the coming century’.

Now he feels confident and is happy as:

“Steering trough swells of rough seas
Our ship is sailing with fine breeze…
Happy to see the jewel in the Crown,
Glittering brightly, famous and known”

Any event in his island nation becomes a subject of evaluation and appreciation for this ageing poet. As his Alma mater is celebrating its Diamond jubilee this year, he couldn’t resist the flow of his feelings. He acknowledges:

“My Alma mater Majeediyya…
Spread the light of knowledge
Under the unchanging Motto
Nihil Labore Difficiel”

The interests of Ali Shareef are always far fetching. He passionately becomes involved in the past, present and future. The Taj Mahal inspires him as “a symbol of eternal love”, Hiroshima reminiscence the atomic holocaust, and Kasmir now as a land of despair. Seeing probably live, the collapse of the proudest landmark in USA, he firmly affirms that the time has come to find a clue to various problems confronting humanity.

Ali Shareef trends quite solitarily paving unique path of his own. His verses are most unconventional, some less rhythmic and rhyming; but they are most sincere and spontaneous and definitely from a mind still young, vibrant and unconditioned. Poetic confabbing is his style and that makes his writings unique strong.

K.Bhaskaran
Dharumavantha School
Male’, Republic of Maldives.
25/5/2002