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Hamna Bilal, a writer who did not stop despite the upheavals in her life. She was born and raised in Lahore and lived in a joint family system. Her parents didn’t get along well which is why she took her pen and inked her way through life. She says “I’m a writer who bleeds ink; that leaves a stain on the hearts of unknown.”
Poetry has always been her passion. She started to write at the age of 16 and got her education from Lahore Grammar School. Having grown tired of being deemed an introvert, she chose to pick up her pen and bridge the gap between all that she thought and little of which she spoke. The poems in her book are a culmination of her feelings, emotions, thoughts, and ideas as she grew in size and mind over the years.
Since her family showed support and encouraged her work, her late grandfather wished to get her writings published. It was his dream and his last wish. If he were alive now, he would have been very proud of her.
Hamna Bilal named her book “The Unborn Ocean”, that symbolizes her as a poet and that her words are like the depth of the ocean; it’s so vast that much of it is still undiscovered but with time, her poetry will unveil different sides of her personality. Furthermore, it reflects the sincerity and purity of her words which are inventive and not restricted to stereotypes.
The themes usually revolve around the ups and downs of life and how you learn throughout the years of grief, resentment, and rejection; getting up always and waiting for the sunshine to fulfill your soul. “I’m a mere pawn, who will fight through all the storms”, said Hamna in one of her poems.
It takes you to a drive of hope and despair. The poems highlight depression and topics which are not usually open for discussion such as the fear of loneliness and how it drives you insane at times. “Loneliness has reached the point where the shadow has lost the companionship of the soul and tears have denied to shed,” says Hamna.
While dealing with all these emotions, she herself has suffered from this illness and she believes we need to talk about it and let people know that they are not alone; that hope is still present. There is always light at the end of the tunnel.
She is a huge fan of Maulana Jalaluddin Rumi which is why some of her poems are inspired from his work. For example,
Faith
Beyond human perception lie some secrets
Secrets which only God has the access to
And his wise servants
A journey I will narrate;
From the stars to the galaxies beyond the reach
From the depths of the sea to the skies above the ozone layer
The earth hides all its devious sins
The clouds cover the tormented sky
For years and years
New species arrive
The old bland soil gets covered in decay
The volcanoes that erupt in the middle of a vegetated land
The oceans that boil with heat
Now, if you turn the page
You can relate
For people who have found faith
Are the ones who have escaped
Furthermore, Hamna is interested in classical literature to be in English or Urdu. In her free time, she reads and ponders over the elements of life.
She recently gave students advice on writing and poetry at the Alumni fair held in LGS 55 Main Gulberg. Her book is available at Anees Book Corner and Staples, Lahore. Furthermore, she donated it to ICPWE (Kinnaird College) and the library of LGS 55 main and LGS 30 main.
