Grief and Pain in the Poetic Experience of Mohammed Al-Fahd Al-Issa

Abstract

This study explores the themes of grief and pain in the poetic experience of Mohammed Al-Fahd Al-Issa, examining their central role in shaping his poetic vision and creative expression. The research argues that sorrow constitutes not only a recurring subject in his poetry but also a fundamental motive underlying his poetic production. Through an analytical reading of his texts, the study investigates the personal and emotional experiences that generated this pervasive atmosphere of grief, including social alienation, the loss of close family members, and failed emotional relationships. Structured around six thematic dimensions, the research examines the prevalence of sorrow in his poetry, the spiritual dimension of turning to God in moments of suffering, the relationship between grief and existential confusion, the connection between pain and love, and the impact of sorrow on isolation and expressive incapacity. The study also analyzes the poet’s methods of representing grief, particularly through symbolic closed spaces such as the room, the house, and the grave. The findings reveal that grief in Al-Issa’s poetry evolves from a personal emotional experience into a broader existential condition that shapes self-awareness and poetic language. In some instances, suffering becomes so overwhelming that poetry itself appears incapable of fully containing or expressing it.