The Life and Literature of Abdul Rahman Shukri

The Futility of Life.                عبث الحياة          Adbul Rahman Shukri

This poem is from the fifth of Shukri’s books which was published in 1923 called ‘Songs of Youth’. Before the poem Shukri writes that his friend, the genius poet Al-Jalil Abbas Afendi Mahmoud Al-Aqqad, while staying in Aswan, wrote lines of poetry to Shukri. Al-Aqqad entitled the poem ‘The Futility of Life’ and Shukri responded to him with the lines below and the same title. Further below is my first translation of a poem by Shukri into English. I have endeavored to stay as close to the meaning in Arabic as possible while also trying to bring the rhyme to the English were possible.

The Futility of Life عبث الحياة

Like the sea, ever-changing كالبحر في أحواله متغيرًا

In vain, its waves roar, ever-staying عبثًا يضجُّ بموجه المتجددِ  

In vain, the wind rages عبثًا تعيثُ الريحُ في هباتها

As do misfortunes, that come and go كالحادثاتِ إِذا تروح وتغتدي

In vain, the star follows its elliptical paseo عبثًا يسير النجمُ في أبراجه

Wandering along, no end in sight متنقلًا في سيره عن موعِدِ

In vain, the sun illuminates the paths ahead عبثًا تضيء الشمسُ وجْهَ مسالكٍ

For a life that is full of traumatic dread للعيش تزخرُ بالشقاءِ المزبدِ

If man had known the burden of his strife لو كان يدري المرءُ قدْر شقائه

He would have never desired to have a life في العيشِ ودَّ لَوَ انَّهُ لم يُولَدِ

And people are drowning in harship and its pain والناسُ غرقى في الشقاءِ ولؤمِه

Some, indignant, complain, while others remain inane من ناقمٍ يشكو ومن متبلِّدِ

And through misfortune, I share their pain من البليةِ أنني بشقائهم

But as for me, the beauty of my endurance is slain وشقاوتي أمحو لذيذ تجلُّدِي

Apathy, dullness, and stupidity إِن التبلدَ والبلادةَ والغبا

Are like wine — delightful and hypnotic مثلُ الخمورِ لذيذة والمرقدِ

But alas, awakening from wine detested ولَرُبَّ صحوٍ للخمار مبغَّضٍ

Is to return anew to a life dejected يأتي بهمٍّ للحياة مجدَّدِ

If only, to be granted a life and not feel its pains من لي بعيشٍ لا أحس صروفَه

As water, or fire or all that stays كالماءِ أو كالنار أو كالجلمدِ

What use is laughter for one in despair ماذا يفيد تضاحُكٌ مِنْ قانطٍ

With the fire of hell in his heart aflare نار الجحيم بقلبه المتوقِّدِ؟

Laughter, shattering the heart, fierce and strong ضحك يهدُّ القلبَ وقْعُ رعوده

Yet oft, laughing, in bliss and song ولرُبَّ ضِحْكٍ في النعيم مغردِ

Who would care, if not for his offspring ماذا على الإِنسان لولا نسله

To sell his world for eternal death إِن باع دنياه بموتٍ سرمَدِ