English literature - Poets and poetry

by Yasmin Gunaratne

Yasmin Gunaratne is a popular Sri Lankan poet, (employed as a teacher at Macquarie University in Sydney). Yasmin's poems carry a calm and serene tone. She wrote her poem "The Big Match" in 1983 highlighting the violence in July 1983, which darkened the lives of many Sri Lankans.

Yasmin Gunaratne seems to be influenced by poets like Dryden. Her popular poem 'Peace Game' is rather satirical, emphasising a game organised by 'KIDS' with a team of - odds and evens. Odds were "the children down the street and miscellaneous scraps and strays." The evens were "my brothers and friends swell upright and regular guys".

Yasmin's 'Peace Game' is rather satirical and mirrors forth the shadow of discrepancy between the Rich and the Poor and how even in a game the Poor Lot is cornered by the Rich and Powerful.

The rich boys degrading the poor, and bringing disgrace to the word Peace itself. The game ends by throwing the odds out and Evens winning the game by hook or by crook method. The parents of the rich boys did not like the poor boys playing near their houses.

So they fought their battle 'over their parents' vegetable beds.' The ironic effect of these words bring to limelight the selfish characteristics of the rich people. The poet describes clearly and briefly the fact that Evens were welfed lot and the little thin "scrawny odds would never dare to say the teams were not well matched".

The "Stunted little fools." The contrasting physical features of the welfed lot and the strawny odds stressing the discrimination prevailing The Rich and The Poor Yasmin Gunaratne's elegant wording creating the exact imagery bringing forth the ironic effect clearly and effectively. The Poet seems to have attempted at exposing the clear fact the discrepancy prevailing in society.

PEACE GAME seems to be a satirical poem with sarcasm running throughout and the underlying idea "War and Peace seem to be the creation of a privileged group to suit their needs. Yasmin Gunaratne's language style is simple but ironic. The ironic effect is maintained throughout the poem.

In the poem Peace Game the poet has kept a blank space in the last line in 'Peace Game' "Or War - I can't remember which.... The poet seems to abhore "Social Dimensions" prevailing in the society.

The Poet's simple language style, appropriate imagery used in an exquisite manner maintaining the swift and rhythmic flow of the poem. Her arrangement of suitable words, emotive language with clear syntax and the tone prevailing in a striking manner, with a touch of mild satire.

Mrs. C. Ekanayake,
Retd. Specialist
Teacher Eng.,
St. Anne's College,
Kurunegala.