The poem albeit on the theme of war, describes eloquently the entire socio-economic scenario that war would create. The poet with a sharp eye surveys the entire landscape of war where some reap innumerable benefits at the expense of others. Citizens of diverse social strata have become willing or unwilling partners of war.

On one hand, it provides refugees, destitute, orphans, disabled soldiers, heroes, rebels and on the other, valiant generals, multimillionaires who engage in arms sale and providing supplies to the parties to the war. A host of industries thrive here and abroad. The poem is noted for its remarkable insights into the matrix of war and allied economy. Indeewara Thilakarathne

WAR

War is serious
and energetic business
Day breaks to the sound of gunfire,
keeps weapon manufacture
flourishing - landmines, missiles,
and marching troops on the alert.
Vehicles, ambulances,
corpses, funerals and mortuaries
mount in number.
Skies fractured by bursting rockets
and threatening aeroplanes.
Surrounding seas are churned
by armoured boats and gun ships.
A war in action
catalyses families,
lovfcis to write,
youth to enlist; also
to leam the art of patience.
It tears apart families,
breaks the hearts of mothers,
creates widows and orphans.
Industries thrive:
artificial limbs, uniforms and boots
stores of grain and food
bakeries and kitchens l
and guns, guns, guns.
Sensational stories, photos in newspapers,
A relentless war
is merciless, but promotes
medals for generals,
long speeches for politicians
and money, money, money
for heartless businessmen.
War is a monster
flames entire villages.
Bomb blasts in cities -
limbs, flesh and blood.
Children watch - terrified,
their lives distraught and shattered.
War is a great leveller,
creates both victims and murderers
equally - mindless
of caste, creed, ethnicity.
Cultures disintegrate, and
enquiring minds of children
imbued with death and destruction
shape both future and history.

Shircen Senadhira

Soldiers' call from Vanni

The guns have silenced the reverberating boom,
The snipers have stopped the distant zoom.
We are tired, wounded, with no arms and legs,
Many have sacrificed body mind and soul
Yet very proud and happy at long last,
Winning the futile war!!!
Dear president, ministers and all
It is your turn now to wage war,
hidden enemies,
Crime, corruption and cruelty
Which plague our island
And make Mother Lanka
An ever shining pearl again!!!!
Let us unite
All races, tribes and indigenous minors,
All religions, faiths and free thinkers,
Let us all call the god
Within us to lead
Along the path of
Righteousness and virtue,
To attain the lost glory
Of Sri Lanka
Be the pearl again
With ever more shine
By the new mother of PEARL.

Jayanthi Kaththriarachchi

The poem is a note of hope at the dawn of peace to Sri Lanka. The peace comes with a heavy price tag leaving rubbles of villages and with shattered lives. It offers many challenges and demanding the politicians and decision makers to wage a war on 'hidden enemies' which render economy unviable.

The poet suggests that a war should be waged against corruption and crime in order to reap the true harvest of peace in a land which celebrates unity in diversity.

Indeewara