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Ghazal Poetry: Do the Twist Prompt

By tspoetry 6 Comments

Ghazal poetry sometimes asks the big questions. Who am I? Why am I here? And, for that matter, why are you?

Poetry Prompt

Though ghazal poetry can be quite poignant, it can also contain a humorous twist, usually in the last stanza. Why not make your whole poem do the twist, and ask a “big question” throughout, about an unusual subject. You could take either a poignant or a humorous approach. (Need a reminder for how to write a ghazal? Go here.)

Thanks to our participants in last week’s poetry prompt. Here’s a ghazal we enjoyed from Donna Falcone…

I Should Have Raised Chickens!

Mom used to say I SHOULD HAVE RAISED CHICKENS!
At least you will get EGGS if you’ve raised chickens!

…and you can be a star at the county fair
with first place, blue ribbon, highly praised chickens!

Have you ever seen a farmer losing sleep at night
waiting up for a new driver, teen crazed chicken?

…or sobbing deep rivers of guilty mother’s tears
After cooking and enjoying a delicious braised chicken?

Yeah, my mother said there’d be days like this!
(Last night I dreamed of chocolate glazed chicken!)

—Donna Falcone

Photo by Koshyk, Creative Commons, via Flickr.

______

Sometimes we feature your poems in Every Day Poems, with your permission of course. Thanks for writing with us!

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Filed Under: Animal Poems, Blog, Chicken poems, Family Poems, Funny Poems, Ghazal Poems, Humorous Poems, Poems, poetry, poetry teaching resources, Themed Writing Projects, writer's group resources

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Comments

  1. Maureen Doallas says

    October 14, 2013 at 10:01 am

    Donna,

    Thank you for another good one!

    Let me know how that chocolate chicken glaze tastes (and which of those online recipes you used).

    Reply
  2. Donna says

    October 14, 2013 at 1:03 pm

    LOL! Thanks Maureen, and thank you Tweetspeak for featuring my Ghazal! That poem was headed for a sentimental journey until Maureen took my chocolate comment to heart and got me thinking in another direction!

    As for the chicken, Maureen, I’m not sure my family is ready for Chocolate Glaze on their poultry, BUT this recipe does look interesting, and subtle enough that I might just get away with it: http://www.mnn.com/food/recipes/photos/5-spicy-chocolate-dishes/venezuelan-chocolate-chicken 😉 I’ll let you know if I try it!

    Reply
  3. Megan Willome says

    October 14, 2013 at 8:13 pm

    What fun, Donna!

    Reply
    • Donna says

      October 15, 2013 at 7:14 pm

      😀 cluck cluck

      Reply
  4. Maureen Doallas says

    October 15, 2013 at 6:10 pm

    Not an unusual subject but the questions asked for the twisting of words.
    ————————

    Ten-Question Ghazal

    Your kiss, must it betray false love?
    If not, what bids me down-mark love?

    Why must you flee from light of day?
    Whose hands work magic dark, Love?

    Does she a plea each night new make?
    Might I, in truth, remark, Love?

    If long’s the game, what prize be won?
    Why snag the tiger shark, Love?

    Would you her name in slumber speak?
    Tell me, who ignites your spark, Love?

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Ghazal for a Gazelle: How to Write a Ghazal [Infographic] | says:
    October 24, 2013 at 11:32 am

    […] ghazal yet? We’re playing with the form all month long at Tweetspeak. If you’d like to write a ghazal, perhaps our new infographic can be of […]

    Reply

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