Afra Atiq, a prominent figure in the UAE’s literary scene, has published her first poetry collection, “Of Palm Trees and Skies.” Since her debut public performance in 2015, Atiq has gained acclaim for her commanding presence and expressive spoken word poetry. She has won several awards, including the Abu Dhabi Music and Art Foundation’s Creativity Award and recognition as Best Performer from Rooftop Rhythms.
Atiq shared her excitement with The National, stating, “I feel so grateful; it’s been a long time coming. It’s such a special moment. I feel really amazing, but a tiny bit terrified because it’s new. Overall, I feel blessed and grateful.”
Published by UAE’s independent ELF Publishing, her collection features 26 poems exploring themes of identity and culture. Atiq describes her work as “self-reflective” and centered on heritage, legacy, life, and family. “It’s a collection of all of these things,” she explains, noting how some poems intersect while others focus on separate topics. “But it’s a work of so much heart.”
Having performed globally in venues like the Louvre Abu Dhabi and Dubai’s Opera House, Atiq is accustomed to live performances. Transitioning her work from stage to page was both challenging and rewarding. “I’m used to doing live performances,” she says. “Letting go of that was really difficult. But I learned that my poems also work on a page.”
Selecting which poems to include was a reflective process for Atiq. Some of the poems in the collection have been previously performed and take on new meaning in print. One notable poem, “Sheryan Al Hayat,” stems from a conversation she had with her father while walking through Al Shindagha in Dubai. The poem recounts his experiences teaching in Al Ahmadiya School during the 1970s and is presented in both Arabic and English.
“What’s special about ‘Sheryan Al Hayat’ is that it’s a bilingual poem written in three parts,” she explains. “Each part functions as its own poem, but together, they also function as one poem.” The poem can be read in various directions, adding to its depth.
Atiq candidly addresses her personal experiences in her poetry. “I’ve left a little piece of myself in these pages and in each one of these poems,” she admits. “It is difficult to do, but the beauty of literature lies in that vulnerability.”
Embracing vulnerability has played a crucial role in her development as a poet. Reflecting on her early career, she acknowledges, “For a long time, I was hiding from that sense of vulnerability.” Now, she strives to ensure her voice is present in her work. “I learned quickly that vulnerability is not weakness; it is often what makes a poem a poem. It has been a journey and a challenge to navigate that vulnerability, and it has been one of my biggest life lessons.”
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