Thematic Reading of "Water" Theme of Muhammad Al-Ali Poetry

Abstract

Muhammad Al-Ali is a Saudi poet and intellectual, widely regarded as one of the founding figures of modern Saudi literature. He engaged in poetry, literary criticism, and various forms of writing, establishing himself as a pioneer of modernist thought and expression in Saudi Arabia. His work presents a lasting example of aesthetic innovation, blending the dualities of heritage and the theme of water in a distinctive and harmonious way. The poet does not sever the deep-rooted ties that connect him to his inherited culture, which remains embedded in the collective consciousness. Within this context, Al-Ali’s poetic text serves to imaginatively rekindle the ancestral and cultural fascination with water. His imagination becomes deeply intertwined with this element, shaping it into a symbolic and creative staff through which he perceives and represents the world. Through the motif of water, his personal struggles and reflections emerge, allowing him to express his unique vision of life and existence.

Keywords: Saudi poetry, the collection “There is No Water in Water”, the theme “Water”, thematic reading.