Notes:
- I wrote this as part of the 30-Day Singapore Poetry Writing Month Challenge. I have never tried writing a Ghazal although one of my all time favourite poets, Omar Khayyam, wrote many in this style. It is originally an Arabic verse form used to convey loss & romantic longing.
- I was thinking of Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s sonnet “How do I love Thee”, and borrowed a few of her lines.
- This is my contribution to Daily Post’s Weekly Photo Challenge: Awakenings
- Feature Photo: Black Swans awakening from slumber at the Eco-Lake, Singapore Botanic gardens.
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My exploration of new poetry continues. Some of it is rather confuzzling (I love suggestion that I am in a state of confusion & puzzlement! Thank you y.prior for the introduction to this delicious word!). Some eye-opening & mindblowing (reading lots of poetry written by Singaporeans; yes! we do have a body of work to boast of). And some I simply love! love! love! (Jack Spicer, Amy Lowell, Tse Hao Guang).
I have experimented with some new forms: some I find easier to use than others. I am also consciously working on elevating the writing; I continue to struggle with what this means, and how to get it done effectively.
This is beautiful, heartfelt.
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Appreciate your taking the time for read this! Most grateful for your kind words and thoughts!
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You’re very welcome!
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Such depth and warmth to this beautiful poem Ju-Lyn. Xx
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Thank you so much for the affirmation, Lorelle!
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❤️
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I used to write too in the past but I never heard of the Ghazal. Thanks for introducing it and I loved your poem 🙂
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Thank you! Although I read lots of ghazals before, I only just learnt what they were this month!
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Ok I have a new word! Confuzzling! I have never heard of a Ghazal before either. Yours is lovely!
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Thanks so much, Pam! Thank you for being ever-encouraging & supportive!
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Confuzzling is a great word. That pretty well sums up how I feel when reading poetry. I give you full credit for diving in!
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Thanks, Joanne!!! Have a great weekend ahead!
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You portrayed “awakening” so poignantly both in your photo and in your ghazal! Delightful to see a modern version of this beautiful ancient poem structure. Your fourth couplet put me in mind of Agha Shahid Ali’s “Even the Rain” ghazal.
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I read the poem! I am so honoured that mine made you think of this! Thank you for your insight and your encouragement!
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