Of all the poetic forms I’ve been studying, the Welsh and Middle Eastern poetic forms provided the greatest challenges as well as the most fun. I suppose it’s my own lack of a full poetic education; although, I put no blame on my public school educators. They are given little time to teach us well. Yet, I feel deprived having spent so much time with no knowledge of these poems.
Translations often miss something, but the basic forms of Ghazals created a structure system that made forming words a pleasure. Give them a try.
Here is my attempt at a Ghazal. Meanings usually deal with erotic longing, religious beliefs, or mysticism.
The rules:
No less than five and no more than fifteen complete couplets.
No hanging meaning with them. Each couplet can stand on its own even though it’s part of something larger.
Within the couplets, the lines end with the same word or phrase.
The last couplet includes a name, often the poet’s.
Each complete follows the same meter and length.
Would in my mind find choice in freedom?
Or shall we dance for a voice in freedom?
Does nothing remain that was not done?
You find a reseaon to rejoice in freedom.
Gather hope and sing your songs.
Let none decry your petois in freedom.
There are no games in politics
Only death by quoits in freedom
So walk, sing, sign, vote
Let me in mine live and hoist ideals in freedom’s name.