ghazal, ma belle

{a(nother) waxwing in the elm on my street}

Recently I've discovered the joy of writing ghazals; there's something ridiculously addictive about their little couplets, something giddy about creating their lilting rhythm. I'm working on one now that isn't very good, but it's the first I've ever tried. You should also read something ('Even the Rain') by Agha Shahid Ali; he definitely knows what he's doing, & his are delicious. I'm just playing right now.

"[In a ghazal] each couplet must be like a precious stone that can shine even when plucked from the necklace though it certainly has greater luster in its setting."

-- A. S. Ali

(for someone who loves to use enjambement, it was difficult to be so tight with every line)

anyway, this one is not done (it's still having metrical problems) but it was lovely to write. certainly much more enjoyable than homework.

* * *

of waxwings

i like to think they come as a gift, this sudden crescendo of waxwings:
a blue sky shattered with feathered filaments of waxwings.

& when i dragged you outside, took you from your tea
it was just to share with you the gift of waxwings –

& they are darting so intricately, an ephemeral embroidery
edging our eyes, clouds with ashy stitches of waxwings.

& from beak to beak they pass elm-bark and chokecherries,
your lips were red as the throat-flutes of waxwings –

& an echoing srreeeee leaves an ache so sharp, saddened
as grey wings sweep the air, the dissolving of waxwings.

& how they alight! then they leave, reverberate urgency
surging through us softly is a warm wind of waxwings –

& their migration: simplicity that deconstructs me,
leaves me earthbound & hungry for the flight of waxwings.

& would that i could hold you so tightly, though i see
nothing can keep us as whole as the flocking of waxwings –

& now our bright hearts lay on the ground, remnants of chokecherries
how graceful waves scatter us, trees dripping of waxwings –

o would that i could speak to you of all i am feeling!
but my words flutter inchoate, distant keening of waxwings.