MIHINTALE

A deer ran away in the jungle free
Centuries back was a pleasant glee
King Devanampiyatissa for his own craze
With his arrow and bow to catch the pray
Ran behind the deer for his fortune
and fame.
An echo swayed in that floral jungle
"Tissa" "Tissa" name was called by
someone
Stunt king stopped running behind
the kill
Searched who called him by his first name
Saw up on Mihintale hill "Mihindu"
the great
Full moon shone drooping silvery rays
All trees blossomed as if dawn has placed
Listened and obeyed the holy words
sprayed
By "Mihindu" the Divine Sri Lanka
to grace
Bondage vowed Buddhism proclaimed
King adhered there-onwards the Doctrine
Made Sri Lankans to lead a life sans sins
Animals and human united what a change
Powerful elements and enemies were
tamed
Mihintale rock became the cradle of
Buddhism

- Malathi Perera