Poetry

Fiddler on the roof

Fiddler on the roof
Playing his melody
It is sweet and stunning
I am mesmerized
When I close my eyes
The melody still reverberates
The fiddler's tune
Makes me blissful
When I listen to the fiddler

Dr. Ruwan M. Jayatunge

###

Life's declining years

In the downhill of life
As I tread along,
Peace and plenty
Brings contentment
Benign happiness
Steer me through.

Caring the fresh Earth,
Relieves me of numbness,
Beauty of the blooms,
Adorning the precincts,
Snap away any gloom,
That prevails in me.

I take humble delight,
Being with dumb friends,
When at work,
Or resting reclined,
My days cares vanish,
With their pleasurable presence.

No bountiful harvest,
I gather now,
With a thin purse,
I help the needy,
With never-sailing friends,
Seek relief when lonely.

Delighted indeed,
With simple domestic chores,
Also scribble a few lines,
To refresh my mind,
Living in the very moment,
Brings happiness and satisfaction.

With thin silvery lair,
Furrows and wrinkles,
Frail countenance,
I may go unrecognised,
Not free from sickness,
Healthy with thoughts and wants, tamed.

No repentance or remorse,
Regrets haste away,
Sorrows are dimmed,
With insight gained,
Lightening the entire soul,
In passing to the silent shore.

Dayaseeli Senaratne

####

A Subliminal Assault

A sheet of white flowers on nature itself
Snow rains on roof tops, grass,
and vehicles- everywhere
A rare experience never witnessed nor endured
Came like a chilling assault
On my nerves and frame
And yet the felt experience sublime in total

A Lanka-born Thamilian
Assimilating
The quintessence of eastern culture
And the like
An entry into the
Western hemisphere
Awe-inspiring with
Nature, humans, machines.
Different though, yet
Transparently universal

Things fall apart when the centre
cannot hold, true
But where is the centre in a global village
When the Almighty is all-pervading
Transmitting love
Love is God
And all mortals in the universe - Humankind

K.S. Sivakumaran

###

African odyssey

I try to build
A dream-castle
In the thin-air
Immersed
In the cosy comfort
Of soothing solitude
And miraculously
As I meditate
Fond memories emerge
In flash-back
Forming a crystal-clear
Image of you
Away from home
Nothing hardly mattered
Even our different ethnicity
Never made us belligerent
As we became spirited buddies overnight
Mesmerized by the tempting
African drum-beat
As a prelude to
Indulge in superbly absorbing
Tango of wild-dancing
With fun loving and sensual
African beauties
Who earnestly promise
The prospect of
A compromising night
Huddled, in your own hotel room
Holding your heart-strings
Dearly under their spell
Going, beyond the parameters
Of one night stand.

Ranjan Amarasinghe

###

Arrival

The overhead screen declares
The flight has landed.
My heart leaps into mid-air.
Yes. They have arrived,
Flying through the vast space
Over land and sea

I stare at the screen,
The words seem magical.
My sprits soar to unparalleled heights.
"Are they here
After three long years?

My eyes reach the distant door
Swinging and closing.
Any moment they will emerge
For that first glimpse
Of the three of them
After three long years
I wait.
Others too are waiting

Pacing up and down the hall
A young man
With anxiety written across his face;
Is he waiting for his betrothed?
To feel the closeness,
The touch and glimmer of her eyes.

With a son and daughter
A man awaits
For the wife's arrival
Bringing the pot of gold
To make their lives
Cozy and secure.

Minutes tick away.
"Yes, they have to clear their way.
Through immigration and checks.
Only a few more minutes to go."
I wait.

At last
The door swings
My daughter walks towards me
Her face beaming
Beside her, my son (in law)
I touch their bent heads
As they go down on their knees;
Few feet away, a youngster
Tall and handsome, surveys me.
Gavishka?
"Yes."

I hug him, the echoes of
"Atthamma rice."
I hear again.
We leave hand in hand.
So much to talk, so much to hear
Would a month be enough?
"At the end of that?"
A thought creeps in uninvited
Driving the parasite away
I turn towards them
Make sure it's not a dream.

Sunila Nanayakkara

###

The Bodhi Tree

Throughout the world Buddhists pay homage to the sacred Bodhi Tree
Buddha attained Enlightenment at the foot of the holy tree
Millions pay respect, greatly venerated tree in piety
With fervent hope of bestowing merit, health'n prosperity.

No other tree receives the attention, care'n respect, as this tree
As long as Buddhism exists'n flourishes tradition'll go on so free
The Bodhi is considered a symbol of dynamic life for many a century
The tree of Enlightenment of Supreme fame - The Bodhi tree of sanctity

Even before the arising of Buddha this tree was in exalted dignity
From time immemorial people used this tree for religious utility
The Bo-tree regarded' The tree of life', in far flung places in folk love, Bulgaria
For ages much importance is attached to this tree in Sri Lanka

Popular as Pippali or Aswatta in Sanskrit from long ago,
After Buddha's Enlightenment this tree became known as Bodhi tree to fore
Deeply venerated as an auspicious, lucky sign, serenity for environment,
An authentic history for centuries, king of trees filled with enchantment
The oldest tree in the world yet, so young looking significant distinction
In regal splendour stands majestically in supreme perfection
Constantly fluttering evergreen foliage rhythmic melody
Like pattering rain whispering much needed peace and unity.

Recalling epoch-making events in history, by gone era
By Theri Sangamitta for ceremonial enshrinement, royal city at Anuradhapura
A sapling of Sri Maha Bodhi at Buddha Gaya, the tree of Enlightenment
Defying the sun, rain, wind, priceless gift undescribable monument.

The Great Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi at A'pura of regal splendour
When ceremonially enshrined the earthquaked, many a visible wonder
According to Mahawansa thousands plunged in amazement miracles visible
Now stands a compassionate monarch bestowing solace to each, a way possible

Sanctuary of miracles, wondrous powers in history
The shaft of radiance remind us of holy Vesak day in dignity
May you eradicate hatred'n enmity in human for unity
May you spark divinity in each human to make this wish a reality.

Kumari Kumarasinghe Tennakoon

###

A wish

May I have
The strength to grow old gracefully,
When old age stealthily creeps in.
A tranquil mind bereft of fury,
Forbearance, when words that hurt are spoken.
Freedom from burdening others,
The joy of independence, laughter and song.
A quietness within myself,
That no one can take away.
The ecstasy of helping someone in need,
Blessings of good health,
Fortune to walk steadily
Through sunlit, smooth roads
Till the end is reached,
And the days yet left,
Be peaceful.

Rupa Wijesinghe