11. A Bard Who Wanted To Govern
After his release in 935, Al-Mutanabbi became a wandering poet. He traveled around the region’s courts, and composed poems in praise of rulers in exchange for patronage. Such poetry has a long history that cuts across cultures. From ancient Sumer through ancient Greece and Persia, and among the Anglo Saxons, Arabs, Vikings and others, bards and poets sang and recited for their supper. But when they wanted richer fare, the surest ticket was to compose something that flattered a wealthy and powerful figure. Al-Mutanabbi did that, and was often handsomely rewarded with gifts of cash. However, his greatest hope was to get appointed a governor of some province. He impressed as an unequaled poet, but did not impress as a potential governor.
