Published Work
Exploring Afeif Ismail’s published poetry collections
Bet of the Argil. Imprisoned multiple times in Sudan for his political beliefs, Afeif Ismail composed over half the poems for his collection Bet of the Argil in his mind while in a small cell, finding strength in a martyr's message written on the wall. He secretly wrote these poems on scraps of soap paper with a hidden pencil, and they were smuggled out by his mother during a visit, which he felt freed his words like birds. Later given two sheets of paper, he meticulously created a 16-page booklet, hoping readers would interpret his work through their own hearts and minds.
Orphaned Birds. Afeif Ismail’s poetry uses the metaphor of birds to explore the refugee experience and humanity's need for a global, planetary perspective. Forced to flee Sudan after being imprisoned and tortured for his activism, he wrote poems on scraps of paper in prison, later publishing them in Bet of the Argil. His newer works, composed in Australia, continue to explore themes of liberation, cultural connection, and transcending prejudice to create a more just world.
Naked Inside the Wolves’ Den. The poems in the book are a sequence of striking illustrated images that weave a tapestry of emotions that exude wisdom and paradoxes that are both humorous and tearful. The poems blend humour with sorrow and highlight the universal experiences of pain and hope. They are about rising above the challenges with the love of life and sowing the seeds of hope every day before sunrise, planting and nurturing them.
Where to Buy
Afeif Ismail’s poetry collections are available for readers worldwide through Amazon. Discover the complete range of his published work, exploring themes of identity, exile, and the human spirit, by visiting his official author page.