Preamble: So I learned about the ghazal form from an amazing Urdu poet over on Instagram, and just had to try it in English. He paid me the greatest compliment by liking it. I guess you can look up the rhyme rules yourself if you're interested... 

Though Cupid did to you direct my love
It seems his aim was not correct, my love

Although my heart to you I freely give,
Affection I do not...

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Preamble: I'm an English as second language teacher in Higher Education. In this current period of more-than-doubled workload due to the hurried and inexpert transition to distance learning, this poem was prompted by one unnamed submitted file too many...

https://youtu.be/sxmobxAT49Y

Dear student,

You are unique.

You’re the only you in the world. It’s true,

So I understand for you, ...

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I tried to write a sonnet. I was quite proud of it, but it didn't win.

Engaged since birth against one deadly foe,

A mortal combat all must surely yield,

No clemency or kindness can we know,

No soul alive will leave this battlefield.

The lines of combat proudly crease my face,

My hair turns slowly, unabashed, to gray.

I must accept with honour and good grace,

to b...

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Know something's amiss:
Passing paperclips
Beneath fingertips
Tingle with promise

The ego gone wrong
In fashioning pain
As some kind of game
In guise of being strong

Yet elsewhere bombs fall
Of course we can care
The cowardly dare
To answer the call

False means to atone
For wallowing guilt
At all the blood spilt
That isn't your own

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