I worked with two young women translators. One died and the other received a death threat from the Taliban.

I think most good poetry is about suffering; I think that's what underlies the love in these landays pieces - suffering and longing.

News isn't designed to talk about daily life in its nuances, but poetry is.

Poetry is a popular genre in Afghanistan. If you turned on the radio, there would be a poetry program that would be as popular as The Real Housewives.

Speculation is a fool's game, but I've seen many political projections that look like the Taliban could hold most of the country, and possibly Kabul, within perhaps a short time.

You can't be wrong in journalism. Take a wrong turn in journalism, and you are writing fiction. You can take a wrong turn in poetry, and something wonderful can happen.

The future of Afghanistan is incredibly dark, and decisions are happening incredibly quickly.