Subjectivity in the Poetry of Rain Case Study of Never have I seen a caravan of camels so relentless—by Abu Tamm?m

Abstract

This study examines the portrayal of rain in ancient Arabic poetry through the lens of cognitive linguistics, focusing on the interplay of temporal forms, mental spaces, and emotional resonance. The research explores how poets construct meaning by blending past, present, and future into a single moment, merging drought, rainfall, and its aftermath. The analysis reveals that the poet’s use of grammatical tenses functions as "instructions" for constructing mental spaces, enabling the blending of reality and imagination. Emotion plays a central role in this process, as metaphorical schemata connect images and feelings, creating poetic iconicity. The study also highlights the poet’s ability to inhabit blended spaces, where desire and imagination intersect with reality, offering a comprehensive view of the world. By integrating cognitive and affective dimensions, this research provides a framework for understanding how temporal references and mental spaces shape the emotional and narrative impact of rain poetry in Arabic literature.