A tribute in verse

UAE-based poet to be honoured in the U.S.

A long-cherished dream will come true for an Abu Dhabi-based poet, when his words dedicated to the President, His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, are read out at an international poetry convention in the U.S.

A translator at the Emirates Heritage Club, Adnan Al Mawed's poem – penned on UAE National Day in December – will be read out at the 2002 International Society of Poets' Summer Convention and Symposium to be held in Washington from August 23 to 25.

The poem, Untitled, will be read by another poet, Alan Rose, in front of a gathering that will include over 1,900 poets from 50 countries.

So how did an "amateur" poet with a penchant for penning poems in English and a degree in English literature from Damascus University make it to an international poetry convention?

Two years ago, stirred by his favourite Arab poet Ahmed Shouqi's verses on women's liberation, Adnan Al Mawed wrote a poem, Reem, about a beautiful dream woman. He entered it for an American magazine competition.

Reem was picked for the Editor's Choice award and included in the poetry.com's publication called Of Memory's Bliss.

Spurred on by this success, Al Mawed began to post more poems at poetry.com and one, To my Son and to everyone, was recorded along with 33 others in a compact disc as part of a special audio poetry collection called The Sound of Poetry.

His brush with glory came when two of his poems about Sheikh Zayed, Untitled and Congratulations – the latter was written for Accession Day, were published on poetry.com.

These poems were also to be printed in a coffee-table anthology of verses from around the world called Letters from the Soul.

Al Mawed was then invited to receive the International Poet of Merit Silver Award Bowl at the website's upcoming international poets' summer convention.

Since he has been unable to attend the convention, the organisers recommended another poet to stand in for him and read out his award-winning poem.

"It's a fantastic dream to have this great opportunity to communicate these verses about His Highness Sheikh Zayed in front of such a large gathering. Everybody wants to know about Sheikh Zayed,'' said Al Mawed, a Palestinian.

His awards, a silver crafted bowl and a bronze commemorative award medallion, will be shipped to him. In addition, he has received a one-year membership to the International Society of Poets.

An unassuming Al Mawed has been overwhelmed by all the attention and fame. He attributes his success to his inspiration, Sheikh Zayed.

From him he learnt that "nothing is impossible", said the poet. "It's from him I learnt to try and persevere till you achieve...''