Poetry competition CLOSED 2nd July 2014 9:37pm
WINNER
LobodeSanPedro
LobodeSanPedro
RUNNER-UP:
gardenlover
Practice the Afghan version of the Haiku, the Landay
Poetry Contest Description
Write an Afghan Landay
There is a form of poetry called the Landay, which translates to 'short poisonous snake'
Some twenty million Pashtun women practice the Landay.
It is easy to define: A couplet made up of 22 syllables.
It is short, easy to remember, and to chant under your breath to relieve stress, or to chant to somebody else.
Most of these women are very oppressed, by a culture that makes them dress by covering their entire bodies in a blanket, with only a couple of holes to peek out of.
If anybody discovers them telling poetry, it is usually punished.
But at great personal risk, these women seek each other out, and gather in groups, to recite Landays.
Although the syllable count is lost, here are some translations of their landays, translated by Ms. Griswold:
Is there not one man brave enough to see
My untouched thighs are burning the pants off of me
and
Ouch, don't squeeze me so tight
My breasts burn from becoming a woman last night
and
Unlucky you who did not come home last night
I took the bed's hard wood post for a man
Besides simply being a couplet of 22 syllables,
Anyone who hears your chant, is also free to repeat it,
to change a word or two, or even try a complete makeover, or simply be inspired to think of a new chant altogether.
The concepts of 'Copy-write' do not apply with Landays
It is expected, and in fact, a compliment when your work is repeated, and altered, and then, a few weeks later, you find somebody chanting your Landay, back to you!
In fact, there are Landays originating over 500 years ago that are still circulating and popular.
I invite you to experience this.
Write your very own 22 syllable couplet here,
And modify and repost somebody elses Landay,
and if you like it, just repeat a Landay!
Post Often!
Thanks for trying out this form of poetry.
Some twenty million Pashtun women practice the Landay.
It is easy to define: A couplet made up of 22 syllables.
It is short, easy to remember, and to chant under your breath to relieve stress, or to chant to somebody else.
Most of these women are very oppressed, by a culture that makes them dress by covering their entire bodies in a blanket, with only a couple of holes to peek out of.
If anybody discovers them telling poetry, it is usually punished.
But at great personal risk, these women seek each other out, and gather in groups, to recite Landays.
Although the syllable count is lost, here are some translations of their landays, translated by Ms. Griswold:
Is there not one man brave enough to see
My untouched thighs are burning the pants off of me
and
Ouch, don't squeeze me so tight
My breasts burn from becoming a woman last night
and
Unlucky you who did not come home last night
I took the bed's hard wood post for a man
Besides simply being a couplet of 22 syllables,
Anyone who hears your chant, is also free to repeat it,
to change a word or two, or even try a complete makeover, or simply be inspired to think of a new chant altogether.
The concepts of 'Copy-write' do not apply with Landays
It is expected, and in fact, a compliment when your work is repeated, and altered, and then, a few weeks later, you find somebody chanting your Landay, back to you!
In fact, there are Landays originating over 500 years ago that are still circulating and popular.
I invite you to experience this.
Write your very own 22 syllable couplet here,
And modify and repost somebody elses Landay,
and if you like it, just repeat a Landay!
Post Often!
Thanks for trying out this form of poetry.
This is a fascinating form given it's history ...
I found this link which will give more background and food for thought ...
http://www.poetryfoundation.org/media/landays.html
I found this link which will give more background and food for thought ...
http://www.poetryfoundation.org/media/landays.html
Stop stealing the baby's sweet breast milk.
Go out and try to milk the goat you selfish old fool.
http://www.rawa.org/temp/runews/data/upimages/women_child_prison.jpg
Go out and try to milk the goat you selfish old fool.
http://www.rawa.org/temp/runews/data/upimages/women_child_prison.jpg
http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/About/General/2012/10/19/1350657980405/Captain-Anna-Crossley-spe-010.jpg
The elders speak with her openly.
They respect her because she can kill them with honor.
The elders speak with her openly.
They respect her because she can kill them with honor.
I won't give you the satisfaction.
You couldn't make me scream in bed nor will I plead now.
http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_looxrgjTPH1qbkrq4.jpg
You couldn't make me scream in bed nor will I plead now.
http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_looxrgjTPH1qbkrq4.jpg
