Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
Former Bahrain resident and renowned British author Robin Barratt is uniting the world through words, yet again, with the launch of his new international anthology featuring poets from Bahrain.
Culture & Identity Volume 1, compiled in the UK by Robin, boasts 163 contributions in English and other languages, shedding light on ethnicity, nationality, philosophy and more.
It features the work of 97 poets from 53 countries, including two from the island he called home for four years and is still near and dear to his heart.
“Bahrain has so much literary talent, which rarely gets seen outside the region,” said Robin, a best-selling true crime writer now living in the English city of Norwich. “And although I left the kingdom in 2012, I am still closely connected to the island and to many of its writers and poets.”
Robin, who founded The Bahrain Writer’s Circle (BWC), had launched an anthology titled My Beautiful Bahrain showcasing the works of BWC members - and its sequel More of My Beautiful Bahrain was a best-seller on Amazon’s list.
He has also edited, produced and published the ‘Collections of Poetry and Prose’ series of 10 books featuring almost 1,400 works from 265 writers and poets from 49 countries. The Childhood anthology was his 40th and he has been working on a compilation called Faith.
Robin is delighted to have Bahrain poets, Claudia Hardt and Raji Unnikrishnan, involved again as they have been in the past publications.
“Inspired by the rich culture, heritage and natural beauty of Bahrain, Claudia’s poem focuses on the tradition of pearl diving and the pearl, while, Raji, a senior reporter for the GDN, writes about reflections of her childhood and journey into womanhood,” Robin said.
Raji, who has been fascinated by poetry since childhood, says that ‘poetry gives her wings to fly’ and ‘frees her thoughts to soar high and helps her swim deep into the depth of her dreams’. She penned ‘The Journey’ for Robin’s Culture & Identity collection.
“I’m proud to associate with Robin,” said Raji, from Juffair. “He’s passionate about poetry and dedicates and invests efforts in it. The message that he sends is clear - poetry unites people, cultures and emotions beyond borders.”
Claudia, a public relations and communications consultant from Seef, contributed ‘My Deep Blue Sea’, which is a love letter from a pearl (referred to as Gumasha in Arabic) to her homeland, the sea. In the poem, she expresses her affection, emotions and feelings for her beloved birthplace.
She thanks Robin for inspiring and encouraging her to take up writing.
“Eight years ago, I decided to take up a postgraduate study in journalism,” said Claudia. “Without his encouragement, I may not have even thought about it. I am grateful for all his tips and insights over the years.
“I think he is doing a fantastic job, bringing together poets and writers from across the globe. The written word has to be shared and read. He provides the perfect platform for us to get the word out.”
Robin is currently developing a platform devoted to showcasing poets and publishing poetry from Bahrain.
“Called THE POET – Bahrain, it will be fully online this spring with its first anthology of poetry from the kingdom planned for the autumn,” said Robin.
“So if you are a Bahraini, or Bahrain-based poet, and wish to have your work published and showcased to a truly international poetry-loving audience, please get in touch!”
He also has a Culture & Identity Volume 2 featuring 98 contributions from 45 poets in 20 states across the US.
Visit www.robinbarratt.co.uk/ for more details.
THE JOURNEY
By Raji Unnikrishnan
Yesterday I visited the attic of my memories.
I picked up this stained picture frame
with brass decorated edges,
which held in tact an old snap
of a thin and lean girl, smiling so naïve.
Beaming so bright she stood
against a wooden window
beneath the green bough.
Memories ran down the ancestral home.
I closed my eyes and stood still,
for a while, and taking a deep breath,
I could smell the jasmine flowers
which adorned her tresses.
Bindi decked forehead, kohl darkened lashes,
religiously bound amulet on her neck -
that smile had a confidence
which wasn’t bold but, beautiful.
The portrait had a magic, which
I could no more relate to.
So very me, but not anymore ...
Bygone days of yesteryear!
Sitting by the sill, holding the frame
I stared – deep into her eyes.
The ‘muscle woman’ that she is today!
I smiled again, but not naïve anymore.
Searching within, I trembled as I realised ...
it was just the ashes that remained.
It was scary to rake them up,
for the fear of hidden embers flaming up!
The innocent smile on face
it scared me and I turned my eyes away …
The fire could burn all down
the new and the old alike, said my heart!
The journey has been long
from that girl to the woman.
While mastering the art of balancing,
life offered no choice but to be thus!
The woman moves on -
spitting fire and laughing loud.
But deep within, aching and craving
to be thee but none!
MY DEEP BLUE SEA
By Claudia Hardt
My deep blue sea
You are my passion and devotion,
My imagination and emotion,
You are my harbour,
My home, where my soul finds rest,
On the edge of the ocean’s breast.
My deep blue sea
You surround me with darkness and light,
You give me hope and a lustrous sight,
You are my harbour,
My home, where nothing can set us apart
In this wonderful deep sea world of art.
My deep blue sea
Your waves, all around, wrap me in peace,
Your gentle waves keep my heart at ease,
You are my harbour,
My home, where silence speaks a million words,
Unique and mystic, my wonderful world.
My deep blue sea
You are my one, my secret friend,
My companion to the end,
My deepest, dearest love,
You are my harbour,
And my only homeland.
Always and forever,
Gumasha
