Reclaiming the Narrative WXIR 100.9 FM

Dasht-e-Tanhai (The Desert of my Solitude) by Faiz Ahmed Faiz
Translated from the Urdu and read by Mara Ahmed
Sound Design by Darien Lamen
Photograph by Rabah Al Shammary
...
Dasht-e-tanhai main ai jaan-e-jahaan larzaan hai
Teri aavaaz kay saaey, teray honton kay saraab

Dasht-e-tanhai main dooree kay khas-o-khaak talay
Khil rahay hain teray pehloo kay saman or gulaab

Uth rahee hai kaheen qurbat say teri saans kee aanch
Apnee khushboo main sulagti hooee madham madham

Door ufaq paar chamaktee hooee qatra qatra
Gir rahee hai teri dildaar nazar kee shabnam

Is qadar payaar say ai jaan-e-jahaan rakha hai
Dil kay rukhsaar pay is waqt teri yaad nain haath

Yoon gumaan hota hai gerchay hai abhee subh-e-firaaq
Dhal gaya hijr ka din aa bhi gaee wasl ki raat.

…
In the desert of my solitude, my love, quiver
the shadows of your voice,
the mirage of your lips

In the desert of my solitude,
from the arid dust of our parting,
bloom the jasmine, the roses of your touch

From somewhere nearby
rises the warmth of your breath
it smolders in its own perfume – gently, languorously

Far away, on the horizon, glistens
drop by drop,
the dew of your beguiling glance

With such tenderness, my love,
your memory has placed its hand
on the contours of my heart

Even though this is the dawn of our farewell,
it feels like the sun has set on our separation
and the night of our union is at hand

The second installment in our roundtable reflection on the role and the future of community news in Rochester, New York.

Produced for WXIR 100.9FM and rebroadcast on WAYO 104.3FM with Darien Lamen, Abi Clark, Laura Smith, and Mary Lawrence.

Original broadcast date 8/18/21

A roundtable reflection on the role... and the future... of community news in Rochester, New York.

Produced for WXIR 100.9FM and rebroadcast on WAYO 104.3FM with Darien Lamen, Vanessa Ryland-Buntley, Jason Taylor and Leslie Hannon.

Original broadcast date 8/6/21

Rochester Offers Programs to Help Residents Keep Cool, But Are They Accessible to Everyone?
Right to Repair Movement Aims to Help Consumers Get More Mileage Out of Their Devices
Almeta Whitis on Social Justice Storytelling Camp
Information for Liberation: A Tribute to Glen Ford of Black Agenda Report

Produced by Darien Lamen for WXIR 100.9FM and rebroadcast on WAYO 104.3FM in Rochester NY with co-host Vanessa Ryland-Buntley, reporters Laura Smith and Mary Lawrence, and arts reporter Abi Clark.

Original air date: 7/30/21

Reducing Urban Heat Is a Matter of Racial Equity: What Is Rochester Doing to Address the Issue?
Billionaire Space Voyages Are a Moonshot Critics Say Miss Their Mark
"We're Going to Tear Up Your Neighborhood, But It Won't Hurt a Bit" Monologues on Clarissa Rebroadcast
ROC the Peace Fest Resumes for its 11th Year
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Produced by Darien Lamen for WXIR 100.9 FM and rebroadcast on WAYO 104.3 FM in Rochester NY with co-host Vanessa Ryland Buntley, reporters Laura Smith and Jason Taylor, and feature contributor Abi Clark.

Earlier this year, Dr. Laura Warren Hill released a book that examines the history of the Black Freedom Struggle in Rochester. Reporter Abi Clark spoke with Dr. Hill to learn more.

Original air date: 7/16/21