by Salah Abd al-Sabur

Salah Abd al-Sabur (1931-81), who dominated the Egyptian poetic scene from the end of World War II to his death, established himself as the foremost Egyptian representative of Arabic literary modernism of his era. His poetry was known for its simple, straightforward language and its concern with Egyptian village life, including the anecdotes, folktales, and epic stories that circulated among the common people. This early interest in promoting the language and point of view of ordinary people did not stop Abd al- Sabur from becoming a consummate administrator and government functionary in the latter half of his life. He held high government posts in cultural affairs and served as editor for a number of influential literary publications. Until his death in 1981, Abd al-Sabur also served as the managing director of the General Egyptian Book Organization (GEBO), the official government publishing...