Navigating Reality: A Landay Poem for Richard

In the quiet space under the moon

I listen for your whispered thoughts from heaven sent

soon spring's veiled mornings will shower love

will your voice find mine on the edge of dampened darkness

my heart longs for one lasting moment

of blessed peace sweeping through our home we built together

©CVarsalona, 2025, landay poem

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What is a Landay Poem? A landay is a traditional Afghan poetic form consisting of a two-line couplet, often sung or recited. It's an oral tradition, primarily, associated with Pashtun women, and frequently anonymous. The first line typically has nine syllables, and the second has thirteen. Landays explore themes of love, grief, war, nature, beauty, or death. (AI) 

This is my first landay poem. I found this format at Amy Ludwig Vanderwater's blog site and also at Writer's Digest. I thought it would fit my thoughts, so I chose to write three couplets with themes stretching from love, nature, and grief. 

Love: When moving to Virginia from Long Island, New York, we searched many areas to find our retirement home. The intent was to live close to my daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren. We wanted a new home built to our expectations in a small community of kindhearted, family-based neighbors. We were blessed to find both. 

Nature: Gainesville, Virginia, is a beautiful area close to Washington, DC and the countryside. Since we enjoyed our spacious gardens in Long Island, we decided to build a few on our new property. Each season, we added a few more plants, flowers, and bushes. Since 2021, nature has nurtured us. 

Grief: I often say life is fragile and uncertain. Since last May, the thought became a reality. We only had less than a month to care for Richard. Writing offered me time to empty the sadness inside. The inspirational quote by Mahmoud Darwish, "I see poetry as spiritual medicine", provided an anchor for me on my spiritual journey. 

Richard's time on earth has passed. The Funeral Mass had a lasting effect on our family but now is not the last time for the family to celebrate Richard's life. The cards, gifts, meals, masses, prayers, and listeners are coming our way to soothe the bereavement period. 

Thank you for joining me as I remember memorable parts of my 48 years of marriage. This summer, I will cherish our wedding day, followed by the first day I met my husband. I appreciate everyone who acknowledges Richard's life, friendships, and love for family. 

I send my thoughts to this week's Poetry Friday Roundup host, Jone Rush MacCulloch, a dear writing friend, poet, author, and artist who appreciates love, nature, family, and writing as much as I do.

Thank you Jone, for adding a beautiful spring poem to your Sunday Solace blog. I wrote a quick haiku to honor your photographic skills.

tulips flood the field

spring winds enjoy sashaying

praise nature's moments

©CVarsalona, 2025, haiku quick write

Photo by Jone Rush MacCulloch

I add my landay poem and haiku to my 2025 National Poetry Month Project.