Where fragrant lilies beautify the way,
Decaying corpses putrefy the way.
Brilliant sages point the way to heaven,
Yet we in bloodshed rubefy the way.
The way of peace was plain when life began,
Then darkness fell to mystify the way.
When harsh and arid places span the way,
How hard it is to ratify the way!
Rivers flow the way of least resistance—-
Plainness will always signify the way.
A vagrant walks the way with dignity,
Yet speaks no words to dignify the way.
Crying skies are not the way of sorrow,
They only serve to pacify the way.
If to the empty center leads the way,
There is no need to simplify the way.
Wind demonstrates the way of roaming wide,
But never tries to justify the way.
Who taught the fowl the way to warmer skies?
How is it that they verify the way?
Compassion is the way within us all,
But we must act to reify the way.
Death cannot endorse the way of living,
Yet also cannot mortify the way.
This dream is but the way of dancing shades;
Trusting this farce will falsify the way.
Who can hear the way the stars are calling?
They wait for us to stellify the way.
Each time Zahhar collapsed upon the way;
Has been a means to clarify the way.
Author notes
my longest ghazal. note that the word "way" is used on every line. this was intentional.
to learn more about the ghazal: allpoetry.com/Column/784848/all=1
background art by Erin Thomas
Written September 21st, 2004
In a list
A contest entry
- Contest For Non-Indians by eternalpoet.
400 points, ended October 4, 2004, 9 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
1 - 5 of 5
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before reading your author's notes, it was a painful read for me. You know how I am with certain words.
I'm gonna go read it again and this time really read it. When I look at it at first glance though, it's like the word 'way' is highlighted in bold and that's all I can see. ...must be these damned psychotropics. Now I know I liked some of the imagery that I scanned while jumping from way to way. I love your ghazals. They challenge my mind and my bias'.
~Bezoar -
5 stars *****
this is a fantastic write.... really... i enjoyed the ghazal, though i havnt heard or read a ghazal in english before, but then reading this peace just is more than nice.. i think it must have been difficult for you to write it.... but then this poem is worth reading twise or thrice.. ... just maarvellous is the word that came from my heart after i finshed reading this write.. i think i will be reading it again... and may be again and again... great write...
but i coudnt figure out this poem in this contest.. sorry for that though.
take cares and have a nice time... juust keep it up .. your humble little friend...
... 
... 
.... - vic
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very well written ghazal, it is hard to enjoy a ghazal in english when one has known their musical beauty in urdu but you do much to justify the choice of form
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Very well written poem, I get the impression from your words that you are exploring paths and choices we face. I think that the form you used was superb; any limitations are not important. This is a great piece.
Thanks for the comment by the way... -
I agree with those who have commented on this work in other venues: It is the best of yours I have read.
Very well done.
I think it is difficult, within this form, to convey much else beside a sort of dry life experience visual. Personal preference leads toward a more emotional writing. However, there is a certain beauty within the ghazal because of the limitation of its form.
The more I read of yours (perhaps one day I will get hold of your chapbooks and read them thoroughly) the more I like the form and your use of it.
Quite well written.
I applaud.
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