غزيل(ن) فَلّة
“A Delightful Gazelle”
Pronounced: Ghzeyaln Fala
Emirati Classic
Written by Atiq Bin Rawdha Al Dhaheri
غزيل(ن) فَلّة… في دبي لاقاني
A delightful gazelle… In Dubai he met me
Ghzeyaln fala… Fe Dubai lagany
امشط القذله… سلمت وحياني
With his bangs brushed… I said hi & he greeted me
Imashit elgthla… Salamt wehayani
قال اش بلاك مثله؟ قلت ضاع برهاني
He said what is it with you, standing like a statue? … I said my evidence is lost
Gal ish balak mithla… Glt da’a burhani
اسبابه الكحله… تسحر بالأعياني
The reasons of his kohl… Enchanting the eyes
Asbabah alkahla… Tis’her bil’ayani
***
رموشه مظلة… جيش(ن) بميداني
His lashes shadowing… Soldiers at the battlefield
Rmooshah muthla… Jaishn bmaidani
وخشمٍ ورد سله… كـ سيف سلطاني
& a nose came extended… Like the sword of a Sultan
W’khashmin warad sala… Ka saif sultani
قلبي تبسمله… وغنى له الحاني
My heart smiled for him… & sang him melodies
Galby tbasam lah… W’ghana lah alhany
***
شفايف مطله… وردٍ بالأوجاني
Prominent (protruding beautifully) lips… A rose in rocky areas
Shfayf mtila… Wardn bilajwani
ونبحرٍ معلق له… لولو ومرجاني
& we sail, passionately attached to him … Pearls & corals
We nabhir mo’alag lah… Lulu w’murjani
***
زاد الحلا حله… يوم لبس فستاني
His own beauty increases beauty… When he (she) wore the dress
Zad elhala hila… Yom libs fustani
قلبي تبسمله… وغنى له الحاني
My heart smiled for him… & sang him melodies
Galby tbasam lah… W’ghana lah alhany
تاريخ سجله… على طول الازماني
The date, recorded for him… Throughout eternity
Tareekh sajalah… Ala tool elazmany
بدعي عليه يعله… يعود لي ثاني
I’ll pray on him… May he come back to me again
Bad’i alaih ya’laa… Ya’ood le thani
ونعمل معه رحله… فالبر وعماني
& we make a trip with him… In the dessert & Oman
We namil ma’aah rihla… Felbar w’Oman-i
Did you know — the name 'gazelle' comes from the Arabic 'gazal,' meaning love poems? Appreciated for their grace, these beautiful animals symbolize the beauty of women in Arabic literature, a theme echoed in this beautiful classic.
In many Arabic poetry traditions, poets often play around with grammar rules. For instance, they may address or refer to a beloved using male pronouns even when addressing a female. They may also use plural pronouns when addressing an individual.
Not only does this practice add a layer of ambiguity and subtlety to the poetry, but it also highlights the fluidity and versatility of the Arabic language. We witness through it the language's ability to convey nuanced emotions and concepts through linguistic creativity, all while maintaining its resonance with audiences. Serving as a testament to the enduring allure of poetic expression in the Arab world.
