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Poetry
Cottage of hope
I sought for wings of butterflies; I sought
And collected some petals of rose; I collected
Peacock feathers were for rafters and beams
Sieved moon light was the threads; so it seems.
Materials were collected
A cottage was erected
Coloured with a rainbow
Illuminated with wet dews
Jasmine, sandalwood and
Roses were doors for ventilation
I was happy and happy I was
Till a hawk fluttered to create a force
It sent waves to melt and to make me mope
To evaporate my cottage - the cottage of hope
It disappeared, vanished or it did hide
The creation, of course, was my own pride
Cake of soap made a bubble for me to ride
To seek the hope; still I am seeking hope.
Wasantha Thilakarathna
The dawn
The darkness breaks with the sun rises
The sky is lit with fabulous nature's dyes
In the horizon black fades while blue appears
The golden attest a dawn of another day that transpires
The cool breeze that hang around tranquil
Makes the atmosphere so wonderful
Tells everyone to be cheerful
Start the day with an ambitious mind in full
The flowers bloom in radiance at hither and thither
Sway together in the gentle wind to greet one another
Shadows of the far mountains and haze around them gather
Makes the site so gorgeous that shows the pride of nature
The birds the first to get ready for the early catch
Butterflies make their way to the blossoms that match
The waters in the stream look like the crystals that flash
Adds more splendour to the site in the morning hush
Smoke puffs from chimneys as the hearths are lit
And meals are being cooked to break the fast
Folk at home get ready for their routines
Gear to start the day with wonderful notes
The sunrays become warmer as it always happens
The haze disappears while the serenity lessens
Children set off to schools and others leave for workplaces
Environs become live with active people on street and fields
Kapila Mendis
Sweep seller, his life and dog
His bicycle carries the seller
His dog follows with the tether
His stock in trade lies on the platter
His lifestyle is never better
His amplifier beams the music which others can hear
From miles away and asunder
The news goes to the would be buyer
To buy a ticket to give his luck a trier
From morn till night he peddles and peddles
For a rupee he gets for a ticket he sells
With this huge money! Home he goes
Wife is expecting a bag full of wants
The stop for lunch under a shade
To eat the lunch he bought from sales
Dog waits till his master finishes
To have his share which master never fails
He does not attempt to commit any crime
To overtake his destiny's frame
Content to be with what you get
Is the way of life that all should not forget
J. Nagodavithana
Fishmonger's lament
Forgive me sirs
Lend me your ears
I'm a poor fishmonger.
I know it's poya today
I only wish I could observe Sil like u
But sirs,
tell me who will bring bread home
(I cant afford bacon)
to feed my parents, my woman
and our kids
if I give up this wicked job?
- Sachi
To my uncle
It is with a heavy heart
I pay this tribute to an uncle
Who was very special
And adored by everyone.
It is no one else but uncle Piya
With a good brain and splendid humour
Unforgettable character was he
We do miss him in every way
Merciful mind he had
Treated the patients geniously
Gentle and generous was he
So confident in his profession too
The two daughters with versatile knowledge
Same with the two sons-in-law
To follow the path of a beloved grand pa
Are the four grandchildren he adored
With the help of his agile hands
Thousands of lives have come to light
If only you were alive
To welcome the great grand one
So my dear uncle - We will always remember you
You always laugh while you speak
Your laughter goes ah ah ah
Still echoes in our hearts.
Beloved niece S.S.
Earth’s lament
Green plants of bygone ages
Fixed the carbon
By way of all important
Photosynthesis
It goes nonstop
Plight is that
Greedy men consume
And release them
To tap energy for them
And for their machines
Without effort
To grow more plants
The fixers of carbon
Released with their
Indiscriminate involvement
Idiotic men take steps
Note only to push forward
But to push backwards also
If you want the balance
D.K. Piyarathna |
