Frustration at Limitations
Al-Nawab's poetry largely revolves around political corruption or abuse, but he takes a deeply personal stance. He writes about how he and his friends feel in relation to their recognition of the Iraqi government's deficiencies. He feels personally frustrated at his limitations. Ironically, however, Al-Nawab is doing all within his power to resist the government through his poetry. Texts like "Iv-Letter-Word" present the personal struggle with hopelessness and fear at the hands of a reckless government. There's a solid sense of solidarity present, despite the ominous tone. Above all, Al-Nawab wishes to rectify the mistakes of his government for the next generation, finding a solution in "The Disavowal" through community.
Political Corruption
This is the heart of Al-Nawab's poetic topics. He is interested in pointing out the failures of the government and its many agendas of misinformation. "In the Old Tavern" vindicates the public opinion of the prostitute in light of the much worse offense of political leaders. Essentially Al-Nawab accuses the government of worse crimes than one can commit in one's own body. The misleading and abuse of the people is a far more consequential offense. When actual corruption is veiled, Al-Nawab points out mediocrity and naivety on the government's part in "Jerusalem Is Arab Nationalism's Bride." Overall the author gives the impression that he will never be the type to tow the line.
Loss
As common in poetry, the author writes about his feelings. Loss is a common topic with Al-Nawab. Unlike the experiences of many poets with loss, his are mostly related to figurative states of loss, with the exception of the son's death in "The Disavowal." Both son and grandson join grandfather in his struggle to make sense of the immense gap left behind in his son's death. In a profound sense, however, Al-Nawab writes exclusively about loss in "In the Old Tavern." His narrator frequents an unnamed bar in a place foreign to him and closes the place out. He refuses to leave because within the bar he can drown out his loss of purpose, familiarity, and hope. Identifying with the lost and the undesirables, the narrator expresses his longing to effect change and to take back what has been stolen from him by corrupt leaders.
