Poetry

Give me Lord....

Give me Lord, true wisdom to see what is just
and right,
In all my encounters with one and all each day
through night.
Give me Lord, a mind that is sound, yet
unconfused with worries and strife,
To vividly see how things should be in one's
day to day life.
I ask you Lord for a clear vision to see and
accept things as they are,
So that I could face life's realities with
diligence and care.
Let me not delve deep Lord, into that thing
called 'I', 'me' and worry much,
Lest I should ponder over problems this and
that.
Lastly Lord, let a sense of peace and joy
prevail in me,
So that I may share it with others as it
should always be.

J.I. Rosairo

Poppy Day, George's Square, Glasgow

Old men sitting on park benches
feeding pigeons, old men with medals
and ribbons of wars long past and gone,
battlefields that were sodden and gassed.

Old men sitting on park benches
waiting patiently to be remembered
where poppies bloom on wreaths
at the foot of monuments.

Old men with bright ribbons
patching the gaping tears
in their hearts,
sitting in George's Square,

Old men waiting for history
to remember their wars,

Jean Arasanayagam

Stop all the Clocks!

Stop all the clocks,
The time, it goes too fast!
Stop all the clocks,
The good times are past.
Stop all the clocks
For the world spins away
Morning, noon, night,
It's all just one blurry day.

The week is past,
The year went by too fast.
Today is history,
Wherein tomorrow lies the mystery
Soon to be solved
As the Earth revolves,
So stop all the clocks,
And sit by the docks.

Time is too precious to take it for granted
Though we wonder if that was what we wanted.
Stop all the clocks and look around,
For there may be in life, many things to be found.

Hasna Ghany

My Best Friend

I had been searching for the best friend
for more than thirteen years
And I failed in the end
Now I await your help

I have two wonderful friends
Who are named as 'x' and 'y'
They never pretend
that they are the best even in a lie

'x' always talks straight
for her conscience's sake
always I'm waiting
to see a full stop in her talk
She is the laughter - she is the anger
Her life is like a feather floating hither and thither

'Y' is so much sensitive
even a one little word
can make her tears active
though they vanish in a second
foolish mistakes of others
are reasons for her laughter
though I feel it's bad at once
I never couldn't help laughing.

At times 'X' and 'Y' quarrel with each other
They share happiness of one another
They care a lot about me in any matter
and make me so comfortable some how or other

It's so hard to select
one of them to be my best friend
I'm so happy and I want to run
and yell that I've done it
My best friend is (X + Y) / 2

Mihiri Prageetha Gunathunga

A Mother's Wish

With the glorification of your herculean figure
You march forward in the battle front
Exhibiting your might and courage
You stand straight with confidence
As a trusworhty comrade
And a guardian to the nation
Correct aim, at the correct time
Exhausting your strength and stamina
Sacrificing your whole life
Watchful in every moment
To fulfil your ambition
And I see you as a King of Vigour
At this crucial era

No matter it's burning sun or rain
Day and night breaking rest
To achieve your attempt
You undergo any hardships
To end the moans and deaths
Responsibility on your shoulder
In eradicating terror
Your bravery in battle
To crack and crush the cruelty
That hurts the civilians
Readiness to deposit your youthful life
In the name of motherland
You, the brave lion in this urged era

Let the Temple bells ring
Let the Kovil drums play
The choirs from the Church
And the prayers from the Mosque
Bless, for your safety
Demolish the obstacles on your way
Your dedicated service in bringing peace
To this golden Island
Your contribution never go waste
Let me clap my strong hands
As a proud mother
For your unaccountable service
Above the sky level

Susi Abeynanda

Foreboding

The incessant raindrops,
Furiously beating the roof,
Fill my ears to the full,
With a thunderous noise,
Getting worse and worse.

Intermittent thunders,
Trying to pulverise the benighted sky.
Give me shudders,
As they invade my cars,
Too powerless to check them.

The howling wind,
Violently shaking the trees,
In the garden,
Induces my fear and foreboding,
Of a calamity to come!

Jayashantha Jayawardhana

Ancient Dancer

No glittering jewellery
No rapid feet
Like in old hay days....
But,
the jewellery have a proud story
filled with pure identity....
Feet imply dedication...

He danced gracefully,
Not to earn money
But to preserve dignity
But he has earned some thing
A bundle of consolation.....

Tharindu Weerasinghe

Dewy love

Speak to my heart,
bright angel,
there is a rhythm in the midst
of desolation,
and a glory that shines upon
our love,
let me be here till thou
remember it.

M.A. Damith Iroash

Ungrateful daughter

Mother in the evening of her life at ninety one
Listless with a vacant stare in bed recline
Left alone by all save her wayward daughter.
Who thinks kindred burdened her with mother

Grateful and benign son and siblings abroad
Send hard earned dollars for mother's welfare
Guardian daughter denies benefits commits fraud
Reducing her to misery most unfair.

Confined to a room, for affection, mother pines
Guardian has dispossessed her of jewellery she values
All property be transferred in her name daughter orders
Curses and rants as mother refuses her vile demands

Brought up tenderly as apple of the eye
Adored by all and lavished with all comforts
Could in gratitude a daughter personify
Allow egoism override love of parents?

T.G.S. Weerakoon

Love Beneath Eyes

See together - Blink together
Sleep together - Wake up together
Cry together - Smile together
Even when life withers
They act in the same manner
Though they never see each other
What a great love and friendship
They gather

Anuradha Abeysekara