Lyrical Cycle of Ahmad Khatem Bjelopoljak or Poetical Arabesque of Eternal Love

Abstract

Analysing ghazals of Ahmad Khatem Bjelopoljak (died 1754.) in general as well as in the micro context shows how the poet composed rich lyrical cycle. He used Arabic alphabet as the pattern for lyrical cycle. In this way, Khatem indirectly revitalised and enriched poetical form of abecedarius turning it to the lyrical cycle and to the form of arabesque which can be taken as leitmotif of his diwan in Arabic language.

He arranged in a very peculiar way 28 poetical texts by successive rhyme from alif to ya. All poetical texts are sintagmatically and pragmatically bound together into a system marked as mystical lyrical cycle. In this cycle there is noticeable dynamic happening between micro discourse (ghazals) and the whole system (cycle). Centripetal centre is of course theme of poet’s love towards God. It reflects textual isotopic force in Khatem’s ghazals. At the other hand, there are strong heterotopical features. It means that centrifugal forces work in deep structure of macro text. It is realised by very often variation of symbols and high degree of verse’s as well as ghazal’s independence.

This brings new expressivity of both, micro and macro texts. The culmination of the Khatem’s poetry lies in the accordance of his lyrical cycle and the poetic of arabesque. In that sense, his poetical texts can be considered as a unique poetical arabesque of eternal Love. Finally, by following the tradition of the best medieval Persian poets, Khatem managed to leave his name as a signature trough the form of arabesque structure of his ghazals.