Enlightened nations strive to finalize the fighting;
Corrupted countries seek to formalize the fighting.
Our eyes are shocked by sparks that fabricate a tyrant;
Plantations build machines that specialize the fighting.
In armchair comfort, watch desultory announcements,
As new and modern methods socialize the fighting.
These stucco walls are filled with countless indentations
Where urban drive-by shootings normalize the fighting.
In air-conditioned rooms with ornamental index,
Fat pashas point to maps and analyze the fighting.
We must protect our rights to unfettered consumption;
Such senseless words are used to moralize the fighting.
There waving on the wind in arrogant defiance,
The stars and bloody stripes now symbolize the fighting.
Those ancient words of peace are converted for battle;
Religious reasons rise and catalyze the fighting.
A single life, Zahhar, exemplifying stillness,
A thousand years from now may neutralize the fighting.
Author notes
This was written about a year and a half ago, one of several poems dedicated to trying to understand the nature and ways of the NAIE (New American Imperial Empire).
to learn more about the ghazal: allpoetry.com/Column/784848/all=1
Written April 18th, 2003
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This is so awesome! Im taking a class and figured I would read some of your ghazals to inspire me. Anyways this was really amazing...Keep it up! Stacey
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Fascinating. I'm going to be taking a course on the history of the middle east this fall. Where you point out that like the members of the middle east fight their jihad battles, you liken it to how those of christian descent have done nearly the same. Well; we're all descended from Abraham. It's Ishmael and Issac. I enjoyed reading this ghazal. It's got a great kinda march to it. Your line about the stars and bloody stripes brought to mind "La Marsellaise" (The French national anthem) whose last lines are; "Marchons, marchons!
Qu'un sang impur
Abreuve nos sillons." (March on! March on! Let their impure blood water our fields) It sounds so much prettier in French.
Sorry for the sidetrack. Your poems make my mind spin.
Absinthe
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oop, hope i didn't offend. i keep wondering when ACWII will occur, when it does i have a feeling a third-world country will be the best place to take residence.
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Born and raised.
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How could I not? I'm a Texan.
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did you notice the one star next to the red and white of the background is kind of like the state flag of texas?
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No kidding.
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that's very interesting about the actual meanings behind "jihad". westerners have done a lot of similar things through various flavors of the christian faith.
thanks for coming and commenting.
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Good use of repetition within the structure of this poem and how the last line adds emphasis by breaking up the sequence (of fighting).
In my studies on the Middle East, I wrote an essay concerning jihad, or holy war. In true Islamic terms is just means to transform...not inflict pain, suffering and death... -
Wow...I've never read a "ghazal" before, but now I really enjoyed the flow and structure of this. I think I'll try writing one of my own, if you wouldn't mind explaining exactly the structure to me. Great job.
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thought provoking
Hi Erin,
I agree with Mari on the harmonious tones of the Ghazals I have read. I stumbled slightly over "unfettered consumption" but the next line saves the purpose, so I offer no suggestion to change it. As to the content, I get the feeling Zahhar believes the human race is on a fast track to Lemming type behavior. Could be...seems noone wants to "just get along" so perhaps there is some truth to that notion. With a young son to raise, I cling to the belief that there may yet be a chance for a better way to be meted out...
Cheers your way,
Del -
Now that I begin to 'sing' the poems I read (thanks to you and Rj), I can comment on their rhythm (melody). This ghazal sounds very harmonious to my years, and the content (which stays the most important aspect, for me) is very actual and well said.
Very good work Erin!
Mari
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