Επιμέλεια: Εύα Πετροπούλου Λιανού
Ah, unfold your beautiful wings,
Open up your beloved mind,
And quietly tuck away, at every bend,
The essentials that life defined!
If you let your desires or thirst expand,
Craving for more, and more to find,
Know for sure, on the streets of life,
Humiliation is what you might bind!
Color your mind with contentment’s hue,
Pour out your gratitude from deep within;
And if you speak with humility true,
A life of charmed joy is bound to begin!
Do you not see that life itself,
Is knowledge’s wide-open door?
Life is where wisdom and prayer,
Blend together forevermore!
Short Biography of Zakir Abu Zafar
Zakir Abu Zafar is a distinguished and influential voice in contemporary Bengali literature, acclaimed globally for his prolific contributions as a poet, fiction writer, essayist, and children’s litterateur. Born on July 1, 1971, in Feni, Bangladesh, he pursued his higher academic studies in Public Administration at the prestigious University of Dhaka. For over two decades, he has served as the Literary Editor of The Daily Naya Diganta, one of Bangladesh’s premier national daily newspapers—a role that positions him at the vanguard of shaping modern Bengali letters.
Literary Oeuvre and Vision: Beginning his literary journey in early adolescence, Zakir Abu Zafar has authored over forty critically acclaimed volumes spanning poetry, juvenile verse, novels, short stories, and critical essays. Among his seminal poetry collections are ‘Khopa Khullei Rater Nodi’ (The River of Night Upon Unknotting the Hair), ‘Chokher Moto Aschoryo Ayna’ (The Wondrous Mirror of the Eyes), and ‘Tomake Vijiye Debo Chander Bristite’ (Drenching You in the Moon’s Rain). His poetic universe seamlessly synthesizes spiritualism, humanism, and the sublime mysteries of nature. Crafted in a lucid yet deeply evocative style, his verses resonate globally, reflecting universal moral integrity and the profound essence of human contentment.
Artistic Persona and Philosophy: Transcending partisan politics, literary factions, and sectarian divides, Zakir Abu Zafar embodies a universalist and cosmopolitan spirit. Known for his exceptionally warm and soft-spoken demeanor, he views life as a blissful, continuous flow and regards poetry as the vital sustenance of the human soul. A visionary and romantic at heart, his life, speech, and aesthetic choices reflect those of a full-time artist whose entire essence is steeped in poetic grace and intellectual confidence.
