You’ve decided to compose a poem according to one of the traditional genres. This can be a challenge because expectations are high and, consciously or unconsciously, your poem will be compared to others belonging to the same genre. The next question concerns your ambitions for this poem and your estimation of your poetic skill and social standing. Will you test your skills at composing the most serious and esteemed form of public verse, or will you be trying a genre that has more fluid expectations? Since poetry in al-Mahra is a quintessentially social act, before you proceed you must answer ask yourself:

What do folks think of you, and what do you think of yourself?