Forbidden

my joys are simple:  sun on my face and writing by the window. 
      after 50 beatings, i change them to goat's milk and sweet pumpkin.         

~0~0~

forbidden from my eyes and henna dyed hands,  
      i dream of your lips, dripping with words sweeter than honey. 
    
~0~0~

your scent clings to my face, soft as rain,
     why can't i choose my love ? 
      
~0~0~


i hide the pressed blooms and stained book under my pillow - 
      your last gifts to me.  
      

~0~0~

night wind carries your voice above the sad fields,  
     my fingers pluck the sheep-boned strings - as softly as i could -    

~0~0~   

under my burqa, world is small as my hand.
     but with my pen, hidden under the folds, i dream of the sky.  
     

Note:  I had originally posted my landai poems in my other blog.  Because of the positive comments, I added more to share with my friends in OpenLinkNight - Real Toads (Monday) and D'verse Poets Pub (Tuesday).

Landai poems are mostly voices of Afghan women.  They are two-line folk poems that can often be humorous, sexy, raging, tragic and  also deal with love, grief,  war, exile and Afghan independence. The success of the poetry form is attributed to it being easy to memorize, which is really important in a culture where women are poorly schooled and forbidden to write or read (including to sing) poetry.  

An interesting Article:  Why Afghan Women Risk Death to Write Poetry

Picture credit: here