When we look at those writers who have penned epic stories, hundreds, maybe even thousands of pages long, we think about what great writers they must be. And in truth, it does take great skill to develop a story to the point that it remains interesting to read after the first hundred or two hundred pages. Although being skilled at writing many words is often considered the standard by which to compare authors, there is a different level of skill displayed by those who are capable of expressing complicated thoughts and ideas with but a few words. In fact, some may consider this to be a much more challenging task, as it demands concise and precise sentences, perfect word choice, and creative expressions, all coupled with brevity. Then, to add to the difficulty of the task, consider putting this short writing …

The four seasons of each year are often the subject of writers and poets. Although not all regions of the world have seasons that are as profoundly obvious as North America and Europe, most people have an understanding of what these seasons are like. And to the poet, each of these four seasons has a symbolic meaning. Whereas spring typically indicates new birth and new beginnings, fall indicates the coming of the harvest, gathering in the fruits of our labors, as well as the foreshadowing of the coming winter months. Each of these ideas has been featured in countless poems and stories, across many cultures and ages. It’s one of those things that really doesn’t change. From the time of the ancient Greeks to children in today’s elementary schools, we find poems about Fall and all that this season traditionally represents.

The …

This is both an easy topic and a difficult one. It’s easy in that we can find thousands of poems about “god”; however, there is great difficulty in agreeing on who or what “god” is, if “god” is. Let’s eliminate the last option first — there are poems about “god” whether we believe in a “god” or not. The poems exist, so let’s talk about the poems themselves. If someone chooses to not believe in the existence of a “god”, then that is not debated here.

The first hurdle is to acknowledge just who “god” is. Many people have different views, and of course, it varies by region of the world. As we look at ancient history, the gods of the Greeks and Romans were certainly different than the God of the Judeo-Christian perspective. Various animistic religions would certainly put god in …

Urdu poetry has a long history, with a variety of interesting twists and turns in its development. There are at least six major different forms of Urdu poetry which range from religious to romantic themes. For example, there is the Ghazal, which is typically a short lyric poem often focused on love and romance, although it may have more generalized themes. This form of poem usually maintains the same rhyme scheme throughout. Then there is the Qasida, which is a type of ode, which is often done as a public speech for some benefactor. It can also be used when celebrating an important event; however, this form can also be used as a satire in certain instances.

Memory Inflamed
by Muhalhil

Memory inflamed the mote in my eye
in the still watch of the night,
then tears rolled down.
Then came the night,
enveloping us as if
it had …

What makes a poem popular? That’s truly a difficult question, as each individual has their own feelings and preferences regarding the type of poetry they enjoy. Still, if you examine the larger picture, looking at trends throughout the industry, you’ll notice certain consistencies regarding which poems seem to do ‘better’ than others. However, one needs also to consider that much of what gets published in modern journals, magazines, and other media is determined by the publishing policy of that particular publisher. It isn’t necessarily what’s popular with the readers, so much as what is convenient for the journal’s editor. Your own experiences may also be different. If you’re a poet who is trying to get pieces published, look at your own acceptance and rejection notices to see if you spot any particular trends worth noting.

Hope
by Emily Dickinson

“Hope” is the thing with …