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Ghazal of the Honed Knife

by Sarah Sloat
Desert Moon Review
Second Place, September 2007
Judged by Deborah Bogen


Undeceived, the body knows the gloom of her.

Right hand the usher, left hand the groom of her.

The fragrance of seasonings enfolds the house

but flesh stays attuned to the perfume of her.

Chair, sink and tablecloth compose a kitchen.

Knuckles, grip and thumb make a room of her.

Switchblade and jack, bread, bowie and pocket–

Christian names will ease into the loom of her.

Pale is the butter, soft ivory the brie;

but yielding knows how bright is the bloom of her.


Thanks to Agha Shahid Ali, the ghazal has entered American poetry's blood stream and this poem showcases the strength of the form. The poem's description of a knife engages us by providing the simple kitchen tool with a presence that is potent and palpable that can be read straightforwardly or as a metaphor. Both the title and ghazal's traditional focus on lost love incline me to the metaphoric reading, but either way, the poet's ease in handling the ghazal form (especially since it is done with a simple lexicon--no fancy "poetic" words here) is a delight. The last line satisfies our desire for the pleasure of both surprise and recognition. --Deborah Bogen

  • August 2022 Winners

    • First Place

      Sodom by the Sea
      by Ken Ashworth
      The Writer's Block

      Second Place

      Good Omens
      by Christine Potter
      The Waters

      Third Place

      Isaac and the Apple
      by Rus Bowden
      Babilu
    • Read the August Winners
    • Meet the Judge: Doris Ferleger

  • July 2022 Winners

    • First Place

      striking a match in an empty house
      by Billy Howell-Sinnard
      The Waters

      Second Place

      My Soul to Keep
      by Jim Doss
      Babilu

      Third Place

      Li Po Adrift
      by Bob Bradshaw
      The Writer's Block
    • Read the July Winners
    • Previous Judge: R.T. Castleberry

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