The Mango Tree

Leaves shine so bright
Fluttering in the wind
Thieves try to pluck the mangoes, smelling so sweet.........

The tree is strong, clam and still
With full of fruits
Anyone can taste them.........

Hurting the tree and eating mangoes,
Throwing the rest around and showing the gratitude,
Many people are.........

Someone abuses the tree, when they miss the target...
"Nobody eats these mangoes! They are not eatable! They stink!"
"Boles are too high! No one can reach them!", they say......

Still the leaves shine...shine so bright....
Singing birds, white doves, even the crows, have relaxing evenings;
On the verge of the strong boles

Fresh breeze has promised to spread the sweet smell
Birds have already spread the seeds wherever possible
The tree is strong, calm and still........

Tharindu Weerasinghe

Tender Rose

Why are you so sad
Why are you alone
Are you in pain
Tender Rose, oh, Tender Rose

You are standing all on your own
Waiting for someone to comfort you
Searching for a person who can love you tenderly
Let me be the one you search
Tender Rose, oh, Tender Rose

Time is passing away
The smile of your face is fading away
Let me take away your pain
Let me comfort you
Tender Rose, oh, Tender Rose

Time has come for you to make a choice
Wait forever for someone to come
Or, let me fill your heart with joy and comfort

Tender Rose, wait no more
Tender Rose, search no more

Let you be mine from now
And I will be your's forever
I will promise to love and protect you
In good and bad times
Throughout life

Tender Rose, oh, Tender Rose
Will you be mine
My Tender Rose

M. Afraz - SLIIT

The story of many women

I saw a pretty girl,
Full of life, so fresh
Waiting eagerly
At the threshold of life.

Saw her after two years
with a man
Brimming with joy
But as I passed I overheard his words
And knew it was haver.
Wished I could warn her
But the sparkle in her eyes...
I knew she wouldn't believe me.

Ten years passed
Saw her accidentally
My eyes were filled!
Poor soul...ruined, used
Beauty, youth, all lost
'Before I left - one last look ....
Those eyes told a story...
The story of many a woman

Shyama Samaranayake, Gampaha

Thoughts of an injured soldier

I put my step to the battlefield
without looking at my mother's face
'cause I didn't know
that I would be able to look at her face again
I knew that she was in tears
and my father tried to hide his pain
I was counting down till holidays
And was impatient to see my parents
They will be happy
when they see me as a soldier
and will be proud of their son
My mother will kiss my cheeks and forehead
and my father will embrace me
But.... on a gloomy day,
We had to fight against the foes at Welioya
During the battle,
I was shot and fallen down
and that's what I could remember
When I opened my eyes
I was told that I was on a bed at the hospital
But I didn't see a single patient there
though it was a hospital
No doctors.... no nurses....
One came and gave me a cup of tea
but I couldn't hold the cup with my both hands
oh God!
I have lost a hand and two eyes
People came to see me
but I didn't know who they were
I could hear only their voices
My parents still don't know
that their son won't be able to see them hereafter
I don't know how will they cope with that
How can I go to them as a blind soldier?
How can I look after my old parents?
I am not worrying for the thing happened to me
having gone to protect my motherland
but I wish I could see my parents' innocent faces
once more before I got injured

Dishna Seneviratne, Kandy.

Life's like a train

People get in get down
Life is a dream,
People come and go
Only a few remain
in our hearts
when one touches
one's heart,
he becomes an
eternal companion
and that bond
cannot be broken
It becomes an
everlasting relationship
yet
when someone comes
closer, it hints us
of Departure
Which cannot be
avoided
though we don't like it.

Saumya Sri Chaturanga

Male Dominance

Can you do this
Can you do that
Haven't you finished yet
Please be quick"
The request is so polite
It's from her 'God'
as their ancestors used to say
How can she refuse
he doesn't care whether she's tired
at the end of a long, busy day
It doesn't matter whether she's not well
or exhausted
Nothing matters
until his needs are fulfilled
yet, he's so polite
outside, he addresses the crowd
and educates them
about the equal rights
of men and women
People are envious of his adored wife
"one of the luckiest women", they think
No one understands the silent suffering of hers
This is a devoted wife of a
polite, kind welfare worker

- Diroshi Prathima Fonseka-

True Love

True Love starts from eyes
Flows into the heart
Develops with bodily expressions
Finally creates a Bond
Proving the meanings of each letter of
True Love;

Trusting and Treating
Respecting and Receiving
U nderstanding and Un-defying
E xpressing and Encouraging

Liking and Listening
Obeying and Obliging
Valuing and Voicing
Ensuring and Everlasting

Anush