How to Write a Ghazal
The ghazal is a loosely defined, traditional stanza. Although the term often refers to a lyric poem written in Arabic, Persian or Urdu, its English counterpart has its place, too. The English ghazal is a poem consisting of unrhymed closed couplets written in any meter.
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Instructions
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Consider the subject matter that you wish to write about.
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Enjoy your freedom. Ghazals are one of the least restrictive poetic forms.
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Write a line of any meter.
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Compose a second line using that meter, closing it with a hard end-stop.
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Skip a line to start a new stanza (optional).
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Write another closed couplet using the same meter as the previous couplet.
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Repeat as often as desired.
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Revise as needed.
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Tips & Warnings
To compose a traditional ghazal, write a stanza of rhyming couplets followed by couplets that repeat the rhyme in their second lines.
Although a lot of people suggest finding a quiet place to write, sometimes the best place to write is at ground zero. Writing a poem about a subway station when you're actually at a subway station will probably produce a much different poem than one written in a creative bunker.
Don't let peers who claim to be poets discourage you from using poetic forms. When you hear a poet say how much he or she dislikes writing in form, remember that a great artist sees the opportunities in every canvas, regardless of shape or size. A poor artist sees only the limitations.
