to tell you those you will efface I have loved
- Agha Shahid Ali
Backwards through memory and time and forgotten names
before heartbreaks there are spaces I have loved
When spring layers the world in yellow and open
windows leave pollen on bedding lace I have loved
In sheltered porch moments as long and sweet as iced tea
with the threat of ocean water and salty taste I have loved
With Chinese fortunes lining the mirror
I have known peace but the haste I have loved
In dark, smoky dive bars singing karaoke
with thin musicians the beat of the bass I have loved
In front of lawyers and judges, despite
the decrees I will make the case I have loved
And I have traveled back to where it all began
with you this night, this city and the chase I have loved
Please let someone tell you of my erred ways
because I cannot face those I have loved
But please don't misconstrue the time it took me
to requite even those I have misplaced I have loved
And the times I kissed and lied and said mean
words I wish I could replace with I have loved
Now just this night in this city with you
I am ready to say bound and braced I have loved
(c)Cheryl Snow White 2007
from snow white lies
This poem has been plagiarised from Indian American poet Agha Shahid Ali's poem. Please google the first two lines of the poem, and you will find several links including http://iranian.com/Nahan/Iran/1.html
ReplyDeleteI take accusations of plagiarism VERY seriously. This poem was written during a Poetry Workshop at ODU. The course, taught by poet Tim Siebles, explored many different poetic forms, including the traditional ghazal. Students were instructed to use the first 2 lines of Agha Shahid Ali's famous ghazal as a starting point for the exercise. To this end, these lines should be italicized as an epitah, but unfortunately the formatting was not included here.
DeleteI have only the upmost respect for Agha Shahid Ali's poetry and would NEVER claim his work as my own. The practice of using epitaphs and major works of literature to fuel your own writing is a longstanding practice. Agha Shahid Ali even titled his own book of poems "Call Me Ishmael Tonight" a clear refrence to Herman Melville's "Moby Dick."
Unfortunately, there's absolutely no mention of Agha Shahid here, no italicisation, no indication that you used it merely as "fuel", and no credit where it's due. As a publisher and lawyer, I know the legalities when it comes to poems being quoted as "inspirations" for your own work, and have encountered it time and time again. The Agha Shahid Trust has been notified of the existence of this webpage, and they take these matters very seriously. Please make the correction in the formatting as soon as possible.
ReplyDeletePlease remove this plagiarised work from your website. It's shameful for the rest of the great poems on here.
ReplyDelete