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.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Dictionaries
• Thesauri

1. Consider the subject matter that you wish to write about.

2. Enjoy your freedom. Ghazals are one of the least restrictive poetic forms.

3. Write a line of any meter.

4. Compose a second line using that meter, closing it with a hard end-stop.

5. Skip a line to start a new stanza (optional).

6. Write another closed couplet using the same meter as the previous couplet.

7. Repeat as often as desired.

8. Revise as needed.

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.

on 11/22/2005 Try one like Hafiz' -
Theme & meter as the main article says, AND: 9-13 couplets; 1st 2 lines end-rhyme (either fem. or masc. rhyme); line 2 of each following couplet rhymes w/the 1st 2 lines. Fit your name/title in the 1st line of the last couplet.

on 11/22/2005 Traditionally, ghazals are songs of love, unrequited love and lovers.