User:Tetrapoda/Arabic Free Verse

Arabic free verse is a term describing various styles of Arabic poetry that are written without adhering strictly to the metrical system outlined by Khalil ibn Ahmad (More commonly known as Al Farāhīdi) (c. 718–c. 791). There is a great degree of confusion in the Arab world as to what qualifies as "free verse" and what is meant by "prose poetry".

Definition of Arabic Free Verse
According to Nazik Al Malaika (نازك الملائكة), who first coined the term free verse for Arabic poetry, the term should only apply to poetry that adheres to a single recognized meter but that allows for a variable number of metrical feet to the line. Any verse that deviats from the classical metrical feet is, to her, merely prose, even if it is written in lines. Nazik al-Malaikah, furthermore, does not acknolwledge anything as "prose poetry".

Some other poets and critics who followed Nazik al-Malaika's definition of free verse also acknowledged poetry written in non-metrical verse, but called this verse "prose poetry".

Later, the term foot-based verse (shir al-tafílah) became more commonly used for poetry that adheres to a single recognized meter but allows for a variable number of metrical feet, while free verse (shir al-hurr) is used for non-metrical verse. In this system, the term prose poetry refers to poetical works written in prose paragraphs, similar to how the term is used in the poetry of European languages.

Nevertheless, there is still considerable confusion regarding how these terms are used. In any instance, the term free verse could refer strictly to "shir al-tafilah", strictly to non-metrical verse, or to both. There is equal confusion regarding prose poetry. In any instance, it may refer strictly to non-metrical verse, prose poems in the European sense, or to both of these concepts together.

To avoid confusion, for the remainder of this article, "shír al-tafilah" will be used for free metrical verse, "free verse" will be used for non-metrical verse, and "prose poetry" will be used for poetical works written out in paragraphs, unless otherwise specified.

Notable poets who write in this form

 * Nazik Al Malaika (August 23 1922 – 20 June 2007 ) (نازك الملائكة)
 * Abd al-Wahhab Al-Bayyati (1926 - 1999) (عبد الوهاب البياتي)
 * Nizar Qabbani (21 March 1923 – 30 April 1998) (نزار توفيق قباني)

Notable poets who write in this form

 * Muhammad al-Maghut (1934- April 3 2006) (محمد الماغوط)