Poetry

Alone

The ghazal. A classical poetic form of Middle Eastern origin, most refined in Persian and Urdu traditions.

Tim MargettsJuly 30, 202615 views

The path was never marked, yet I had begun, alone.
The first step echoed softly — I was one, alone.

I spoke to stones; they held their counsel close,
and taught me what endures when speech is done, alone.

The rain became a language I could learn,
its syllables of comfort never sung, alone.

No crowd could hide the hush that found my heart;
I’ve stood within the noise, yet heard none, alone.

Now night and self make peace without a word;
the world unfolds, its circle run, alone.

The candle’s smoke rewrites what I have known;
the poet fades, his song undone, alone.

Reviews (1)

Rachelle Allen

8/2/2026

Oh, wow. This is my first experience with a Ghazal...and I like it a lot. The repetition feels very Middle Eastern (perhaps a la Jewish Mommie: If I Haven't Repeated Myself A Million Times Today, I've Been A Failure...) It also reminded me of what happens during Passover and the reading of the Haggadah when the word "Dayenu" (Enough!) gets repeated antiphonally. This has such a mystique feeling to it. A lovely sway and swell. Does it always require the same number of syllables first and second line, or does it always have to be ten (or eleven?) I enjoyed this very, very much. Thank you for making me smarter today!! xoxox

Tim Margetts

8/2/2026

Thank you, my friend The rules of a Ghazal are very strict, dating back to the times of ancient Persia. It is built from a sequence of self-contained couplets (called sher), each an independent reflection, bound together by sound and mood rather than story. The first couplet (matla) establishes a rhyme and refrain: the same end phrase repeats throughout the poem. Each second line of every following couplet carries that rhyme and refrain. The final couplet, or maqta, often includes a personal signature or reflection by the poet. The couplets do not narrate; each expresses a separate moment of thought or emotion within a shared theme. Traditional ghazals range from five to fifteen couplets, ending when the feeling resolves, not when the line count is met. In English versions, poets often use assonance rather than strict rhyme to keep the language natural while preserving the musical echo of the original form. The power of a ghazal lies in the emotional resonance of its repeated refrain and the shifting meaning that refrain acquires from one couplet to the next. Give it a go. It is a challenge but very satisfying when it comes together properly.