By Farhad Azad
January-March 2000
Lemar-Aftaab
Memory of a View is an exceptional collection of Dari
and English poems by Dr. Amin Azimi. What makes this book rare
is that the Dari portion of the collection is a poetic memoir
of the author's life as a
young man living in the 1960s in Kabul.
Dr. Azimi's poetry renders a portrait of the romantic nature
of Kabul that is forever frozen in artistic, picturesque verse.
By far, it is a must read.
We talk with Dr. Azimi regarding his poetry and book:
Question: What did you do with your poetry collection when you left
Afghanistan?
Dr. Amin Azimi: In 1973 while I was a sophomore in Kabul University, I
decided to move to the U.S. to continue my education in psychology. I
left all of my poems and short stories with one of my sisters. My aim
was to return to my homeland after the completion of my education.
The political upheavals in Afghanistan didn't give me the opportunity to
go back home even for a visit. In 1982, my sister and her family immigrated
to the U.S. She brought all of my writings with her in the same large
envelope that I left with her. Because of my busy life in the U.S, I didn't
get the opportunity to open the envelope for another 16 years.
Question: This book is a rarity because it is a poetic memoir set in the
late 1960s and early 1970s in Kabul. What are your memories of Kabul in
those days?
Dr. Amin Azimi: This question is very broad, so I will try to provide a
glimpse of my memory about life during the late 60s and early 70s.
During those years, life wasn't the same as it had been earlier.
Political parties were coming to life. Rioting and daily demonstrations by
Kabul University and high school students were part of daily activities.
Politics was the main topic of conversation during those days. Sadly,
longtime friendships were ending due to differences in political ideology.
Despite all of these changes, everyone's values and beliefs were intact,
and they pursued their usual activities.
Our main source of entertainment was Western or Indian movies. There was one
radio station that was the source of news, music and poetry and drama.
There were two daily newspapers published by the government. The standards
of education were very high. Completion of high school was a great
accomplishment. We attended school six days a week. Fridays were holidays.
Unfortunately, during the early 70s, the standard of education declined due
to daily political demonstrations, and at times schools were closed for a
period of time. Respect for teachers and their authority was declining
because of the political events. The spirit of healthy education was
damaged because of interruption in the education system.
One of the strong aspects of Afghan culture was the interest in music and
literature. In some of our classes we did 'Shir Jangi'. We had to memorize a
large number of poems. Class was divided into two groups. For example, Group
A recited couplets; then group B had to recite the answer in couplets with
the last alphabet of group A's couplets. This activity would continue with
excitement until one of the groups wasn't able to continue, due to the
inability of the group to come up with the proper couplets the rule
required.
Respect for the immediate and extended family was essential. We had to get
permission from our parents for whatever we had to do regardless of our age.
Older siblings were protective of the younger siblings. There was a
hierarchy of responsibility in the family, which served the family and
society well.
Question: Which poets and writers did you read in your youth?
Dr. Amin Azimi: Well, I read just about anything I could get my hands on. I
loved Hafiz Shirazi. I memorized dozens of his ghazels throughout the
years. After all these years, I still can recite some of them in the
silence of the moment. Khayyam was another poet whose rubyiats I
memorized. Likewise, I read Iqbal-i- Lahuri, Jami, and many other great poets.
Question: Which poet influenced you the most?
Dr. Amin Azimi: I enjoyed reading love poems. I loved
Rahi Maheri's poems, as he was a marvelous and passionate poet. His wisdom
and his style definitely influenced me. His poems portrayed a man of great
soul and unmeasurable depth of emotion.
Question: When did you first begin to write poetry and short stories?
Dr. Amin Azimi: I don't exactly know when I began writing poetry and short
stories. As far back as I remember, most of my writings were reflective of
passion, love and the loss of the loved one. Most of my writings were free
style so I was able to express my feelings and thoughts without confining
myself to rigid rules.
In my early teens, I was so self-conscious that when I
wrote a piece, soon after I would tear it up, as I was afraid others would
read it and misconstrue the meaning. At that time life in Kabul was
mainly attending school, body building, playing soccer and being with my
dear friends. I want to tell you a funny story, after all these years every
time I think about that event I can't help but laugh. But this experience was
an awakening and turning point for me in writing poetry, prose and
short stories. This was the beginning of the time when I started collecting
my writings.
I remember I was either in 9th or 10th grade, and as usual one morning I was
about to get on my bike to go to school. All of a sudden one of my nephews
was outside the door and he stopped me.
He stated, "Kaka jaan, the girl from across the street gave this envelope to me to give you."
With a great deal
of hesitation I took the envelope. Nervously, I opened it. Well, that was a
love letter from a neighbor who lived across the street from me. I had seen
her before, but I didn't know her name. Her letter was filled with passion.
At the end of the letter, there was a free style poem. She requested that I
respond to her letter. I took the letter to school and showed it to my best
friend. We laughed and laughed all day long. That night at home I sat for
hours and responded to her letter. At the end, I wrote a love poem of my own
for her filled with passion. We exchanged a couple of letters, but I never
had the courage to speak to her. After a while, we moved to a different part
of the city and that was the end of a teenage romance.
I still have regrets about not keeping a copy of the poem I wrote for her. I
often wonder about the contents and what all that passion was about, since I
did not know her. Perhaps that was part of our culture that we have lost.
Question: What does poetry mean to you?
Dr. Amin Azimi: Poetry means different things to different people. To me it
means releasing memories, deep emotions and thoughts, regardless of their
content (happiness, sorrow..) into socially acceptable, constructive rhyme.
These layers of emotions--I call them emotional literacy--create beautiful
images in the poet's eyes and mind and they are then transformed into
words that become songs of the heart.
Question: In your poetry book you have included a collection of
English poems. What best describes your English poems?
Dr. Amin Azimi: After my journey to the U.S. in 1973, and because of my other
priorities, I had to cease writing poetry. In 1991, after 17 years, I began
writing poetry in English. Surprisingly, the themes of my English poetry
were similar to those I wrote in Dari while I was in Kabul. In other words,
I still had the same emotion, intensity, and passion that I left behind
years ago.
Question: What message do you have for aspiring Afghan writers?
Dr. Amin Azimi: Every writer needs recognition, encouragement, inspiration, and
constructive feedback. Lack of these can be very detrimental, especially to
an aspiring writer. Frankly, in the circle of our families, friends and
Afghan communities, young and creative talents do not receive positive
feedback and encouragement. Instead, critical eyes look for flaws in the
writer's work, and harsh and unfair criticism becomes the feedback. Most of
us are blind to seeing beauty first. Instead, our magnifying glasses focus
on finding things that become targets of critical remarks. This type of
insensitive judgment affects any soul, especially an aspiring writer who
like a newly plant needs the tenderness and caring of the gardener.
Being cognizant of our culture, the mentality of Afghan society, an
inspiring writer should not take comments and criticisms personally, but
instead find comfort in seeking knowledgeable, sensitive individuals who
have similar interests, as a source of feedback and growth. Also, forming a
writers' group via the Internet or in the community can be an excellent
source of support.
For ordering information on Dr. Azimi's book, Memory of a View,
please
click here. The proceeds from this book will be donated to Afghan
charities.
Poetic Work by Dr. Amin Azimi:
Related Links:
