'Oh, my age full of sorrow'

Celebrated Kurdish poet Ahmed Mohammed reflects on his life and legacy

2024-07-04 | 20:54

SULAYMANIYAH — Celebrated Kurdish poet Ahmed Mohammed, whose poignant verses have been transformed into songs, shared insights into his work and inspiration during an interview with 964media. His perhaps most notable poem, “Oh, my age full of sorrow, you go and never look back,” penned at 18 and performed by the late Kurdish singer Kareem Kaban, continues to resonate across generations.

In the interview, Mohammed explained the inspiration behind this poem. “Since an early age, I realized that life is about not troubling yourself and others. First, you must bring peace to your heart, and then to your surroundings. Once you find inner peace, you can extend it to your environment,” he said.

His poetry collection, Temen (Age), has been translated into several languages, including Italian, French, and Swedish. An event celebrating the Swedish translation was held in Sulaymaniyah on Wednesday, with another scheduled in Stockholm. “I am grateful to those who have translated my works, contributing to the Kurdish language and literature through this process,” Mohammed expressed.

Emphasizing the importance of translation, Mohammed stated, “It needs to be translated into other languages to blend the voice, color, and culture of Kurds with other nations.” He attributed his popularity among both older and younger audiences to his honesty in his writing. “If you are a poet, it is crucial to be truthful with yourself and your words, letting your personality permeate through your writing,” he added.

Born in 1967 in the Kani Askan neighborhood of Sulaymaniyah, Mohammed has been publishing his poetry since the late 1980s and remains an active figure in the literary scene.