[W.F. Lantry]

Originally Posted by Jean L. Kreiling

2. I understand that each couplet should be “independent,” but to what extent, and how essential is that restriction to the integrity of the form? Most, but not all, of the ghazals I’ve seen are non-narrative and non-linear, nearly meditative, and I wonder if my inclination to create a sense of forward movement, an almost-narrative momentum, would meet with resistance among informed readers.

Jean,

I'm no-one to give advice on this form- you can see just how hopeless I am with it here. And yet, I like your inclination. I want to say something like 'run with it, make it yours, follow your inclination, see where it takes you.' I'm sure you *would* get a little push back, but so what? I think we should all write this out on a little post-it note, and stick it to our monitors:

Nous voulons, tant ce feu nous brûle le cerveau,
Plonger au fond du gouffre, Enfer ou Ciel, qu'importe?
Au fond de l'Inconnu pour trouver du nouveau!

Good luck with your project. I can't wait to see the results!

Best,

Bill

[Gail White]

There are also (naturally) web sites about ghazals. You can try some back issues of the Ghazal Page at www.ghazalpage.net.