Ghazal

Would someone please explain in english this style of poetry I keep getting lost somewhere in the mummble jumble lol....

Thanks

--Sher

Here's what I know on the Ghazal. A poem form where the stanzas are comprised of couplets which share a rhyme and a refrain. Ghazal is pronounced Ghuzzle and in Arabic literally means "Speaking with women."

The Ghazal is therefore comprised of a short collection of couplets (called "Sher").

Ghazals were written by the Persian poets Jalal al-Din Muhammad Rumi in the 13th century and Hafez in the 14th century, the Turkish poet Fuzuli in the 16th century, Marza Ghalib (circa 1797-1869), Muhammad Iqbal (circa 1877-1938). Through the promotion of the style by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (circa 1749-1832), the form became popular in Germany in the 19th century. The Kashmiri-American poet Agha Shahid Ali used the form extensively in English and other languages.

The form:

The 2nd line of each couplet in a Ghazal ends with the repitition of a refrain of one or a few words, this is known as a "Radif", preceded by a rhyme which is known as a "Kaafiyaa."

The 1st couplet will introduce the theme, both lines will end with rhyme and refrain (AA, BA, CA etc,)

There is usually no enjambement across the couplets and each couplet must be a complete sentence in itself.

All couplets, each line of each couplet must all share the same meter. Usually the Ghazal consists of no more then a dozen couplets.

Sher's should in fact be an independent poem in themselves, however it is possible for all the shers to be on the same theme.

The last couplet may be a signature couplet where the poet may invoke his or her name in the first, second or third person.

Simple illustration of form -

1st couplet:
_______________________rhyme A + refrain
_______________________rhyme A + refrain

2nd and successive couplets:

______________________________________
_______________________rhyme A + refrain

You may like to also take a look at some information written by Erin A. Thomas (All poetry) who has a number of downloadable e-books on Ghazal poetry.

Hope the limited information is of some help?

A little thank you... still kinda foreign to me though lol...

--Sher

Anyone else? Please share with us if you have some more insight into this poetry form.

Sherry Lynn, both Illuminati and I have written our first Ghazal, you may like to take a look? It is part of our own CC&P poetry challenge and over the coming week there will be more of our members writing Ghazals.

Aria, thanks for the additional information, it's always nice to pick up additional bits of information to fill in the gaps in one's knowledge.

^^^And you did a terrific job too! =)

I second that Sunny. I finished my Ghazal and it was a bit challenging. But it was fun:)