What Do We Lose Without Poetry? A Love Ghazal Poem by Ravi Kopra

Without poetry, we lose our way.
—Joy Harjo, U.S. Poet Laureate & Academy of American Poets Chancellor (2019-)


Without poetry we lose our way
In love, our hearts melt away

Your way is yours, my is mine
But peace warrants a shared way

Do not challenge me, said the warrior
Else, you all will be slain away

All religions lead to God, said some theologian
Said Allah's followers: but ours is the superior way

Say love in English, Arabic, Hindi, Hebrew or Farsi
What difference? Love conquers all in whichever way

Said Ravi's beloved: I love you, my dear Ravi
Said he: I'll die without you, I'll lose my way.