Symbolism in the waiting (entezar) poetry (with the focus on Ali Moallem and Alireza Qazveh poems)

The symbol, as one of the most important types of imagery, has been considered by poets and authors from ancient times until now. Symbolism has a special position in the waiting poetry, regarding its spiritual space on the one hand, and its social-critical approach on the other hand. The waiting poetry is a branch of guardianship (velayi) poetry, and included the themes such as waiting for the Hujjat, expressing devotion and love to Imam Mahdi (the Hujjat), the features of real awaiting person, and the shortcomings and woes of the current age. The Islamic Revolution of Iran and the eight-year war of Iran and Iraq are the most important events affecting the waiting poems. Ali Moallem and Alireza Qazveh, as the two famous poets in ritual poetry and resistance literature, were not beyond these influences. As well and Islamic revolution and the eight year war, the current events of Iran, criticism of the pre-emergence society and the efforts for improving oneself to understand the government of Imam Mahdi prepared the field for entering new symbols in the waiting poetry of Qazveh and Moallem. In the present study we have discussed the origins of the symbols and the traditional and innovative symbols in the poems of these two poets.