|
Poetry
Devotees
They say that he was the consort of
Two divine ladies.
One Sinhala and one Tamil.
Members of both races
Flock to his holy land
Bathe in the same river
Wait in long lines
Offer poojas of fruit
Break coconut to dispel evil
And invite goodwill
Just as the Greeks had done
In their places of worship
Just before departing
To wage war with each other.
- Kamani Jayasekera
A fallen hero's request
I know, still you look at the dusty road
Leaning against the half opened door
Hiding the rolling tears
Thinking of your darling son's arrival,
No response to the rising sun
No difference to the invading darkness;
The reality you have to welcome
Since your son has done the best.
With military honours, I lay down here,
Having done my part for our Motherland
To prosper and shine under one flag.
Many a friend has followed the same course
So you be happy as country's journey is done.
Though, my presence, you don't see,
The course of my mission is felt by all.
Dear Mum, wipe your tears and look at the sky;
The Peace of Sun is rising over the mountain!
(Dedicated to all fallen heroes at the battlefield)
- A. Jayalth Basnagoda
Joyful tidings
Our hopes have dawned in splendour
May darkness flee away.
From eastern skies may bright tints glow
Today and everyday.
God bless the ruler of our land
May peace always abide
Thou art dear Lord, the guiding hand
On this pearl of oceans pride
Salute our valiant heroes, their struggles bravely borne.
Determined with such courage every night and morn.
Commanded by their leaders and every task done well.
Not caring for their lives or limbs nor for the snares of hell.
Guide all right thinking politicians, they stand a hardy test.
With wisdom make them pave the way, giving of their best.
Counting not on failures past, help them each day to learn.
The sovereign will of the people, to be their main concern.
May we rise above all clouds of doubt, distress and fear.
Our Motherland be fred from enmity and tears.
With peace of mind may we rejoice while winds of goodwill blow.
In plenty and prosperity our dear land overflow!
- Sylvia Peiris
My wings
Once I had beautiful wings
Colourful, gorgeous, angel wings
I flew as I wished, over the trees
Higher in clouds sweeping the breeze
Touching the stars, Kissing the moon
Above the ocean racing air planes
I could fly free, wherever I yearned
No one tried to stop me or warned
When I reached thirteen
My mom said that I was a teen
I shouldn't fly very high alone
Vultures have an eye for female teens
Later when I reached sixteen
Mom cropped my wings in between
So alert, care and keen
- Susi Abeynanda
Let's join hands
Hirun, this little boy
Was a five year old tot,
Lovable and active,
An only child he was.
That day when he got fever
He had a cold and cough.
Taken to the doctor
He was treated for cough.
Five days later
His fever was still high.
When taken to the doctor,
Admission was advised.
His condition closely monitored,
His platelet count had dropped,
His illness was diagnosed,
Dengue had struck!
Hirun, I saw you
For the first time on this day
In the ICU setting
Of a hospital bed.
You were given the best care
The best treatment you got,
But still you got sicker
Every day after day.
You started getting convulsions,
Your breathing slowly stopped,
You were put on ventilator
But your heart did not just pump.
Your parents were by you
Morning, noon and night,
Weeping and praying
For their one and only child.
Your skin turned paler,
Your blood pressure dropped,
Your kidneys had shut down
And your heart had stopped.
We were all around you,
Your parents held your hands
With heavy hearts and tears
We watched you breathing your last.
Your illness diagnosed timely,
The best treatment you got,
But this killer disease dengue
Nipped your life in the bud.
"Prevention is better
Than cure," they say,
Let's join hands to make
Our country a cleaner place.
- Dr. Savitri Udawatte Samarasinghe |
