Muscat: The essence of the classical Omani poem today is embodied as one of the most prominent features of the cultural landscape in the Sultanate of Oman, stemming from the aesthetic and linguistic legacy it has established, which reflects human experience and historical richness through the ages. Currently, the classical poem is witnessing a tangible upward evolution regarding its linguistic context and artistic style, as it has become more conscious and capable of expressing human issues and intersecting with cultural transformations.

According to Oman News Agency, Khamis bin Qalam Al Hinai, a poet, pointed to what the "poem" has built regarding its own language in a way that reflects its cultural identity, establishing a distinctive presence in the Arab poetic scene while continuing renewal and preserving authenticity and beauty. He stated that poetry, as he sees it, is a delving into the interior and an exposure to the exterior, and that the Omani poet, like other poets, seeks in his poem to fuse time and space with the fire of his words, connecting with history and geography to the extent that he disconnects from them. He added that the Omani poet contributes to extending human emotional experience through leveraging personal experiences and surroundings to evoke wonder at times and empathy at others when read by people wherever they may be, using a tongue saturated with the flavors of language without losing the unique accent acquired through upbringing and connection.

For his part, poet Younis Marhoon Al Busaidi discussed innovation, artistic aesthetics, and the key features of renewal in the classical Omani poem today, touching upon the experiences that must craft the poem to make it more astonishing. He said he currently does not find in the Omani poetic text-or perhaps even the Arab text, speaking of metered poetry, whether classical, vertical, or free verse-any innovation or broader horizons, despite openness to new experiences. Al Busaidi added in his personal view that innovation lies in treatment, style, and diversifying methods. He noted that the Omani metered text has been unable to leave its distinct fingerprint; when reading it, one cannot distinguish whether the poet is Omani or from outside the geographical area to which he originally belongs, making it similar to poetic texts from any other Arabic-speaking nation-or even non-Arabic speaking if the poet is there.

In the same context, poet Abdullah Ahmed Al Kaabi says the features of renewal in the Omani poem seem to rest on two things: first, creative innovation stemming from the intermingling of literary arts, and second, nostalgia for the eloquence of the ancient past. Al Kaabi added that features emerged in the Omani poem, including openness to the intermingling of literary arts among poets possessing full mastery of their poetic, expressive, and linguistic tools. He believes that the poem transcending literary genres and borders, which truly carries the concept of a creative text, is the one inspired by daily language and the language of literature aligning with human issues.

Meanwhile, poet Dr. Aisha Abdullah Al Fazari touched upon the assets possessed by the Omani poem to enhance its presence on literary platforms, events, and Arab awards, while opening up to broader segments of readers. She discussed mechanisms for leveraging the cultural and creative momentum in the Sultanate of Oman to build a new phase that makes the classical Omani poem more impactful, widespread, and capable of producing a poetic achievement keeping pace with the future. Al Fazari also added that the Omani poem possesses a linguistic and aesthetic capital characterized by combining correct Arabic with rich poetic imagery, accompanied by a clear inclination among many poets toward linguistic economy, avoiding rhetoric, and opening up to symbolism, mythology, intertextuality, and human knowledge.

Meanwhile, poet Ali Hamid Al Alawi addressed the evolution of intellectual visions and topics covered by the classical Omani poem, making it closer to human beings and their issues, and more open to cultural and human questions. He added that the classical Omani poem managed to absorb the rapid social transformations affecting current civil society values. Al Alawi emphasized that critical studies and poetic competitions-such as festivals, forums, and literary gatherings-play a pioneering role in enriching this poetic renewal and establishing common ground between authenticity and modernity.

The depth of the classical Omani poem continues to evolve as poets navigate the balance between tradition and innovation, fostering a poetic landscape that resonates both locally and within the broader Arab world.