Life

Life is so subtle
Should I say brittle?
Unwarranted some vicious,
Enter into it, oh! Yes, is continuous.

Poor or affluent, Week or strong
On the ground they bang
Paltry earnings, no cuppa
Sickness, tribulation, death no strata.

Weeping hearts, seeking Deities
Innocent equally the bullies
Tear filled, reddened eyes
Hardened hearts, fury eyes.

The Able dash to shrines afar
Unable trudge to a local altar
On the doors of Divine they knock
Poor Sinners, Hard Carts all knock.

Gods, Deities so gentle above
Shower blessings with sincere love
Wretched, Affluent the hunters
Scuttle to grab the wonders.

Poor, so weak, fail to reach high up,
Rich, more capable, jump & snatch up
The Blessings showered by the hallowed
Ignored? the miserable get dismayed.

Oh! Gods deities where are thou!
Didn't see the poor souls somehow?
Weeping stretching feeble hands
Reaching almost your heavenly bounds?

Life is so subtle,
Should I say brittle?
Unwarranted some vicious,
Enter into it again, oh! Yes, is continuous.....

W.B.E.Ranjit Fernando

The poet tries to describe rather indescribable life which is full of wonders and uncertainties. The quality and the life chances depend on one's social and economic status. However, sickness and senility is common to all but in different manners. However, life is not the same for although some characteristics may remain common to all. The poet uses down-to-earth language. -Indeewara

I wish...

I wish I didn't know what love is,
So that I don't feel hatred,

But, apathy;

I wish I didn't know what beauty is,
So that I don't encounter
ugliness,

But, ignorance;
I wish I didn't know what compassion is,
So that I don't stumble upon cruelty,

But, indifference;
I wish I didn't know what commendation is,
So that I don't undergo criticism,

But lack of interest;
I wish I didn't know what friendship is,
So that I don't suffer hostility,

But, unconcern;
I wish I was born alone in this world,
So that I don't feel the closeness,
Or, face antagonism,
But, peace and solitude.

Inoka Makalanda

In this poem, the poet describes her wishes to be detached from the world. It is the contacts with the world and the interaction with others which will create emotions both negative and positive. These emotions would turn into attachments. However, peace lies not in an isolated place but in a strong and firm mind which will withstand the tempests of life. -Indeewara

May be and yet to be

I am painting flowers
In the garden of your love
For you and me
And for the may be
And for the yet to be
Of our today

I am painting gardens
In the heart of your love
For me and you
And for the will be
Of our tomorrow

Bertholamuze Nisansala Dharmasena

The poem is about love on the part of a girl towards her lover. It is the future expectations that she paints in her heart for them. What evokes throughout the poem is the sacrificial element of love and its pure nature. Love is one of the most powerful primordial human feelings which sustain life on the planet earth. The poet skilfully evokes the sentiments of a lover. The poem is noted for its simple diction. -Indeewara