Vain Liberty

Loosed, my chains, I finally came home;
But again to bondage would I flee, for you are gone.

Landay
a traditional Afghan form used almost exclusively by women as a means to subvert the social code which prohibits them from speaking freely. Some women, perhaps many, have died for the words they have written. To honor them, let us not use this form to write light verse.
Comprised of 22 syllables: 9 in the first line, 13 in the second
In theory, the poem ends with the sound “ma” or “na,” but I have not seen a single example where this rule was followed.
It may rhyme, but often it does not.
Themes: war, separation, homeland, grief, or love
The poem lilts like a lullaby, but delivers a biting sting.

Copyright © 2019 Abigail Gronway – All Rights Reserved