May the fire in our hearts keep burning as though there is no end ~

“Like a child who saves their favourite food on the plate for last, I try to save all thoughts of you for the end of the day so I can dream with the taste of you on my tongue.”
― Kamand Kojouri

I am not one for goodbyes. They are much too difficult to accomplish, so instead I will simply say; “hope to see you again someday.” Welcome to my last prompt at the Imaginary Garden with Real Toads. 

A few days ago, as I was surfing the internet, I came across a poetic form known as “Landay.” It’s a traditional Afghan form which consists of a single couplet.  

There are nine syllables in the first line and thirteen syllables in the second. These short poems typically address themes of love, grief, homeland, war, and separation.

Salvador Dali ~ Nude on the Plain of Roses

Similar to the couplets of a Ghazal, “Landai,” in sequence works independently and can be grouped by adding more depending upon the subject matter. Following are a few examples: 


Examples of Landay by Afghan women: 

“I’ll make a tattoo from my lover’s blood

 and shame every rose in the green garden.”

“My love gave his life for our homeland.

 I’ll sew his shroud with one strand of my hair.”

 

Be black with gunpowder or blood-red

but don’t come home whole and disgrace my bed.

“Is there not one man here brave enough to see
how my untouched thighs burn the trousers off me?”

Dalia Barke ~ Kiss from a Rose

It's recognition in Europe and in the US came from research carried out by journalist and poet Eliza Griswold and war photographer Seamus Murphy. In fact, an entire issue was dedicated to the poetic form.

Your challenge is to write a Landay (or a series of Landai) on a subject matter of your liking. Feel free to explore the various possibilities and pour your heart out. I look forward to reading what you come up with. Please do visit others and remember to comment on their poems. Have fun! 🌷