Taufiq Rafat
| Taufiq Rafat | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born |
7 June 1927 Sialkot |
| Died |
2 August 1998 (aged 71) Lahore |
| Cause of death | Stroke |
| Known for | Author |
Taufiq Rafat (7 June 1927 – 2 August 1998), was an author and poet. His work influenced other Pakistani poets and he is credited with the introduction of the concept of a "Pakistani idiom" in English literature.[1][2]
Rafat conducted poetry workshops, which influenced many younger poets.[3]
After surviving a stroke in 1984 he did not take to write until his death after 14 years in 1998 in Lahore at the age of 71.[1]
Examples of Poems written by him
Children Understand Him
Here the poet realizes the life of Old Man. A young grandfather of three grandchildren(2 sons, 1 daughter) of his son. The metaphor here is used 'Otherwise he is a Dry Stream Bed' which means once his(old man/grandfather) life ran like a river or stream and now it is dry. It means when he was young, he used to live like other young man. Further is written 'Living on Memories' which means He is now living on memories. And further it is written that 'And the hospitality Now given, revoked Of his sons and daughters' which means when the guest arrive, he(old man/grandfather) sent to his room because of many causes such as because he may bore new guests on stories of his life and wherever he will go, children will follow him. Further, here is 'From man-roar, and friendly' which means They(grandchildren) give friendly chest on his(grandfather)'s chest. 'And damp kisses on scrubbed cheeks, They sail to the harbour of his knees' which means that he(old man) gives damp kisses to their grandchildren, ever that are dirty. And grandchildren feel safe on his(old man) knees.
References
Poems
External links
- Taufiq Rafat was perhaps greatest and most ignored English language poet of Pakistan
- An unsung poet remembered - thenews.com.pk
- Literate, NOS, The News International - Jang
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