I am continuing with my Poetry Month challenges and At Reflections on the Teche, Margaret Simon, our host for Poetry Friday is HERE! Thanks, Margaret, for hosting! Remember to check out what's she's done with the next Progressive Poem line, too, today. See the entire list on the right.
Happy Easter to you who celebrate! 🐇 And for those who are celebrating – Happy Passover!
Happy Poetry Month, where poems parade in the streets, run like rivers within our veins or settle in our hearts every.single,time.
I am planning to use this older book pictured left that follows the alphabet with one kind of prompt each day. I used this book on occasion in the classroom years ago, but never worked through it day by day, with deliberation! Here goes!
Today, Day Seven, calls for a ghazal, a complicated poetry form. One is challenged to follow the rules you can find here, one of which is that the theme of this form must touch on love and the other should include the poet's name in the last line. See if you can figure out how I did that! I chose to write about my husband who will be gone ten years this coming September. It still seems like yesterday.
*swoon* What a beautiful ghazal for your one true love, Linda. Clearly these last 10 years have not diminished your love.
ReplyDelete(My guess about the last line including your name is 'bye' from 'goodbye'...I also thought maybe your husband's name could be Cliff because of his hat ;)
R is for Rhyme as a fun framework text for your NPM project. Write on!
Thanks, Bridget, it was special to write this, but a ghazal is not easy! Yes, the word is "bye" but the rules only say that the poet's name is the one supposed to be in the final couplet. My husband's name is Arvie, after a long ago relation.
DeleteLinda, the repetition of "again" is so so beautiful here! LOVE. xo (10 years! Wow.)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Irene, I toyed with several phrases & this seemed to work best.
DeleteI challenged our writing group to do a ghazal once, and they just about kicked me out to the curb. It's such a difficult form and yet I have poet friends who seem to write them with ease. I remember when you lost Arvie like it was yesterday. We can see the time go by in your grandchildren, but what happens to love? I don't think it ever changes, not long love, and the kind of love you had. I hope the grief is easier. Grief has knocked me down this year. It's better, but never gone.
ReplyDeleteIt is easier or I wouldn't be able to live my life, Margaret, though as I wrote, I miss him every day, wanting to share all the hours he is missing. I know you've had a hard time recently, too, and am glad it has eased some. Thanks for your words!
DeleteSo moving Linda! Thanks for sharing this poem and the photo. Such a difficult form, but it seemed just right.
ReplyDeleteLinda, what a beauty of a poem. And a ghazal at that. I am sorry for your loss and admire the way this poem doesn't shy away from sadness.
ReplyDeleteA difficult poetic form for a difficult topic. (We'll miss them forever.)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Janice, Susan, & Anastasia. The form is challenging but when I saw that an underlying theme of love was to be included, I knew that this is what I wanted to write. I know, Anastasia, forever!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful and touching, and I admire your tackling a ghazal on top of everything else. I can't believe it's been 10 years; I remember those early days after Arvie passed. Thanks for sharing the wonderful photo and reminding us of the enduring power of true love. xo
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Jama. Once in a while, it's time to write something for him, yet really it's for me. Thanks for your memory, too.
DeleteLinda, choosing ghazal as your poetry form, set you a challenge, no doubt, but given the strong emotional connection with the subject, it clearly provided you with strong resolve to see it through. Your love shines out of this poem.
ReplyDeleteLinda, you took my breath away with your loving poem to your husband. The format appears to be written with ease, perhaps deep love helped move the poem along. The poem may be a start of a family collection of love poems. May your love ignite more deep-seated emotions and poetic expressions. Happy Easter to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteWell done with a difficult form! I love that turn in the middle -- "time to change the frame." Time is so important to this poem (ten years...or an instant) as is the way you frame your love, loss, grief, and joy. Gorgeous. Brings tears to my eyes.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Alan, Carol, & Mary Lee. I so appreciate your comments.
ReplyDeleteLinda, your courage - and love for your husband - to write a love poem for him now, brings me to my knees. My sister's husband passed away almost three years ago; I can't conceive of ever feeling like it's over. Whew. Thank you for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteWhat a worthy project, Linda, and your ghazal rises to the challenge, reminding us that the pain and the memories cycle round again and again. Thanks for sharing the blessing of your love with Arvie with us.
ReplyDeleteOh, Linda. I've not been a huge fan of ghazals, but this is stunning. It feels like it's scooped directly from your soul. Sending hugs and love to you. Thank you for sharing your beautiful, grieving heart with us.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Patricia, Heidi, & Laura. It felt good to write this!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your gorgeous tear-at-your-heart poem Linda, written with so much of love's emotions there, sending some hugs your way.
ReplyDelete