Poetry

Cry, no more

Counting every single moment
Horrifying thoughts were abundant
Anticipation and anxiety
Mixed with fear
I could have walked and walked
Hundred thousand miles
Up and down, restless
Along the corridor
Adjoining that labour room
Oh! Those deadly hours
Doubled the rate of pulse
And my sensitive years
Were longing for your first cry
Experiencing that consolation
I'll do all that I can
To make you a superhuman
Wider wisdom and integrity
Dignity and superiority
As a remarkable man
To uphold recognition
Throughout life
Utilising every drop of sweat
And my pure attempt
Merely towards your comfort
Tightening the perpetual bond
Sacrifices, to make you crowned
And I see you cry no more

Susi Abeynanda

Smile Murali smile

Your face adorned with an innocent smile
You smile in adversity you smile in victory
Endowed with a magic hand like a magic wand
Wickets fall like pins for your deadly spell of spin

Frightened captains of Willow concocted a lie
That your arm action is questionable by the rules of the game
Before the vicious rancour of the prejudiced umpire
The bold action by Arjuna the brave captain
Redeemed your dignity and ego sanctity

By a kangaroo court in the Kangaroo land
Tried to expel you from your beloved game
But science and doctors belied your inquisitors
You emerged like a glowing sun breaking through the dark clouds

When ever you visit the Kangaroo land
The media chorus revives the bad memories
Even the PM entered the pitch to join this issue
Every pub dubbed you a cheeky chucker
But all attempts ended in ashes

A true son of mother Lanka
You straddle the five continents like a Colossus
Like atlas holding the world globe
In your magic hand you hold the cricket ball
A shining knight of the vanishing breed of willow knights

G.H.A. Suraweera

My Christmas Dreams

I wish to walk down the avenue of Christmas past
to recall its resplendence and delight
that I have treasured in my heart.
My home was sparkling, fresh and sweet.
Lace curtains swished in a sensuous breeze.
The Christmas tree standing tall and green
brilliant with baubles, stars and tinsel sheen
tinkling silver bells, our Christmas wreath shone
inviting all who wanted to come
those Christmas cards with snowy scenes, fire-place burning.

Santa Claus in his deer drawn sleigh rushing.
The Snow Man his sweet heart cuddling, intimate and easy
Holly berries, mistle-toe and scarlet poinsettia in posy.
As church bells rang we walked beneath
the star spangled Christmas sky
proud of my frilled dress, my shinning shoes
to sing hymns to the baby in a manger born.
Then home to greet my parents on Christmas morn.
Untie my gift of foreign sandals with beads iridescent
to embrace and thank them for love and inspiration.
If only I could close the thoughts in my heart
If only I could put my reveries away
If only I could lock that inner door
and tuck my Christmas dreams away.

Caryl Nugara

I miss you

I know
you love rose
of course it is beautiful
but do you know
jasmine has a sweet smell?

'I want to gift you something.
Ask anything'
I asked you on your birthday
Do you remember?
You like a child,
who points the finger at ice cream
said,
"She took away my heart."
How can you lie,
when your heart is safe with me?

Anyway I am trying to
gift that and
wishing you from
the bottom of my heart
to live long a happy life
with your sweetheart
Coz
I love not only you
but also your feelings, desires
and your whole being...
Don't ask me to
stop thinking about you.
If you wish to do
order me to die
Don't you know that
I cannot live
without your sweet memories?

Snow drops
cool breeze
Sandy beach
shady trees
Dancing peacock
singing birds
smiling child
Are they beautiful
than you?

Don't invite me
to your wedding
Coz I want
to smile
a moment
in my life

You'll miss me
one day.
Then you'll feel,
"I lost all my happiness."

Fathima Aqeela Rafeek

Motherly love

Old and ninety in life's seventh stage
with charming pleasing nature still
trying to be cheerful protecting her image
concealing various ailments is her secret will

She is the source of incredible fascination
Pouring over great pleasure and happiness
Satisfied as her kids have reached destination
Lying on the bed she throws away the distress.

When I was a baby she cuddled me
Now she sits on a chair so feeble and helpless
I cuddle her singing Lullabies to set her mind free
feeling the sweet tender love which seems to be endless.

Now and then she releases the watery load in her eyes
Drowsy and weak brooding over of thoughts bygone
Tears shed are not of sorrow but happy and wise
Losing the bonds of motherly love makes us forlorn.

Catherine Gunawardene

Caravan

They made a show and a din
And are gone now, Baddiudin

Do not look eastwards
Where the sun again and again arises
Shining on these perennial fronds.
The dust raised by those caravans
Have long since vanished on desert trails.

They will not come again,
Goramshah Turk Hussain.

Patrick Jayasuriya

Loss of an angel

Slowly approaching complete three months
Unable to assess unexpected heavy loss
Mansion in deep silence lonely remains
Creating solitary atmosphere in all ends

Illness vaguely disturbed at first
Similar occurrences thoughtfully met
Doctors familiar simplified the threat
Amma at home recovering fast

Sweet home sweet home softness
Returning early judged the best
Thoughts of the future discussed next
plans, ideas solid order in lot

Garden flourished in blossom rose
Freedom available for birds in ease
Pets moved freely very close
What a difference when Amma at home

Time passed unnoticed swift as light
Winds in fragrance more delight
Jasmine flowers are white and bright
Home is fresh mother's free nest

Freedom exercised partly closed
When illness suddenly rose up teased
Entire home compassion changed
Finally Ma bed-ridden at Thirty Five Ward

Doctors Nursing and other staff fine
Attention, clean care recorded in time
Health regained steadily in line
Janaki acknowledged comfort with smile

Elders, brothers, sisters and children
Wished happy and healthy should happen
But unfortunate circumstances hidden
Arose suddenly defeating heaven

Janaki slowly, peacefully faded away
Leaving Ruwanthi lonely miserable way
Thathi never expected parting from stay
'Supreme Bliss' wished with warm love and pray.

N.H.G. Seneviratne

Home

Wherever we may roam?
There's no place like home.
From childhood weren't we filled with glee,
to think of home and to it flee,
when wrinkled feeble and old age takes place.

To them home is hard a place to face,
to many not one it happens you see.
Prisoners in their homes they are made to be.

Freedom of speech to them denied.
Their human feelings forced to hide.
The peace of mind the greatest gift
Losing it can they ever be fit?
Helping their children brought them great delight

Now it has brought them to this sad plight
Yet they hear all this - Does not grumble
their children's happiness: Wish not to tumble.

Norma Perera

Witchcraft

The magic in your voice
Awoke me from a deep
Winter slumber
To a new world
Of hope, love, desire

The magic of your eyes
Startled me to life
The rain drenched meadows
Glistening in the sun
Milky waves breaking
On the shore
The magic of your words
Thawed my frozen heart
Fluttering to life
Breathing deeply
The sweet smell of living

The magic of your caress
A healing save
On a pain bruised body
Light as a feather
I began to dance
The Dance of joy
To your magical tune

Kusum Rajapakse