Spring

Spring dawns to lands unknown
Flowers bloom in all colours of June
Heart filled with happiness and love
I ran through the fields
sprinkled with dew drops and dreams..

Bertholamuze Nisansala Dharmasena

In these few lines, the poet describes the sublime beauty of the spring with blossomed flowers. The poem sounds a narration when the poet says "Heart filled with happiness and love". However, the line would not be out of place given the sheer beauty of spring....

A tray of betel leaves

A tray of betel leaves
My father sort, a fine companion
For me ....
Through the newspaper, proposal corner ....,
And now, they are ready to visit us...,
To see me as well as my parents....,
My father keeps his head little up....,
He's proud and happy
Of course
They are of a well reputed family

"When they are here, you should appear
With a tray of betel leaves...,
Your head downcast...and
Face full of shyness..., indeed..."

According to you...
It's a must
But according to me
It's a stress and punishment
For my unflinching obedience...

W.K.S Inoka Weerasuriya

In this poem, the poet highlights the issue of marriage in contemporary Sri Lanka. A father has sought a partner through matrimonial columns in newspapers and he wants the daughter to behave in an artificial manner when the partner visits with his family members. Instructions are given that the girl should present a tray of betel leaves to the partner with downcast eyes. The poet has skilfully used a symbol of 'A tray of betel leaves', a potent symbol of rigid traditions that often clash with modernity. The matrimonial columns in newspapers by and large reflect the real values of society where caste, creed and even professional qualifications are published in order to attract partners. In worse case scenarios, parents who have virtually lived their entire lives in foreign soil, seek Sri Lankan partners for their offspring.

Anguish of Vedda wife

Sleeplessness makes my eyelids very heavy
But I can't sleep alone in this hut
Since the moment you set off on tonight's errand
My mind fills with uneasy feelings sans comprehend

Elephants will trumpet and leopard will roar,
Ferocious tusks are sharpened by wild boar
Against them you have only axe, bow and arrow
I feel that your margin of safety is very narrow

A bat rattles its wings with a stirring sound
An owl hoots in a tree, far up from the ground
The moon when hidden in the rainy clouds
The forest is enveloped in darkest ever shrouds

When the lightning strikes and thunder rings
The storm will oscillate all the tree tops swings
Fear within my heart is reaching its climax
Until you return to this hut, how can I relax?

Oh! This loneliness I can bear no more
You shouldn't leave me alone
Gods! Please help him to kill a spotted deer
As well, do guarantee the safety of my Dear.

W.P Somawardana

In this poem, the poet has captured the emotional state of a Vedda Wife who is waiting for her husband to return home with a hunt. The wife is anxious about the safety of the husband. She thinks that natural disasters would cause harm to her husband. The poem is noted for the recreation of the atmosphere in a forest fraught with danger and depicting anxieties of the Vedda wife. In some instances, the poet has attempted to use rhyming couplets.

Little picture

Little picture
I am trying to draw a picture
A picture
My future
Every time I try to draw it
There is a vacant space

I know,
It has to be drawn on a little paper
And I have got a little space,
But some invisible hands,
Don't allow me to draw it

I don't want to overdraw
Please let me draw my little picture
On my little paper

Umesh Moramudali

A little child is trying to make his future in a world of limited opportunities and resources. He pleads that he be allowed to make his future within the limited opportunities.

Gruesome speed

Immaterial of apparel,
Having had no dazzle,
Whether or not in frazzle,
Or on razzle
You, on wheel,
Chase no more than thrill.

Life is like a rill
Meandering on gravel
Mixed with beryl;
May be a riddle,
Embellished with frill

Running with devil
Truly, peril;
Excruciating drill
Causes trill
Being a brill
Know what, grill
Even behind grille!

Being brittle,
Atop anvil,
Would your shrill
Help save a bristle?

What use of cavil,
When your yell
Doesn't worth a rattle!
No cause to growl!

Speed, surely, will
End in hell,
And, that's evil's will.

Jayatissa K.Liyanage Kiribathkumbura

In this poem, the poet speaks about a vehicular accident in which the vehicle is turned into wreckage. Apparently, what cause the fatal accident is higher speed and reckless driving. The poet describes in short and sharp lines, the folly of reckless driving. The poet has used simple diction.

In memory of my dear nanny..

You were there by my side
Since I was just 11 months old
You were truly part of our family
And I don't know what else to call you

It was amazing to see
That bossy little spirit
And the strength you had within
For a woman of your age
But there came a time
To face a bitter truth
A truth that would tear apart most
Cancer they call it and a killer it is

It was surprising to see
The courage and strength you had
To face this bitter truth
Fighting one battle after another

You had your spirits up
Until the very last battle
But then it was time
For you to leave us behind

The courage you've shown us
And memories of you
Will always be in our hearts
Rest in peace my dear nanny.

By Sachitha

The poem is a requiem for a departed nanny who has been a part of the poet's life since childhood. Although it is a personal experience, the poet has skilfully turned the nanny's death into a universal experience where kith and kin lament for the dear departed. In a way, it shows the rich emotional life and a vital role that nanny played in the poet's life. The poem is a narrative poem and is noted for its genuine feelings.

A tribute to a loving father

"A baby girl is born"
Emerges the blue print
On an outdated diary page
Bound together in a brown leather
Gathering many precious memories
What triumph they blow!
What satisfaction they prove!
What pride they hold!

Did I live up to their expectations?
Am I worth the pain you took to nurture me
Question lingers...answer wanders..,
The expressions in they eyes
Reflect satisfaction,
For I have dwelt on both

Over the years
You were the ocean of forbearance
While rivers of untamed spirits out-did you
Nothing has really changed
Waters are serene once again
Love warms the heart as it did years ago
Respect empowers...
I assure you...
I am thy triumph, thy satisfaction and pride
For.....
Love conquers all

Sameela Damayanthie Herath

The poem expresses sentiments of a daughter towards her father. The daughter questions herself whether she has lived up to her father's expectations and whether she is worth the pain and sufferings that father underwent to bring her up. The poet has been successful in depicting the complex relationship between father and daughter. The poet has used simple and evocative diction.

Re-written in stone
(2010, Paris)

A French guillotine would be safer!
Yet, better to be safe than savaged
A stone image of Sri Lanka's terrorist
Safe in arms of L.T.T.E.'s propagandists.

Irene De Silva

These lines codify the feeling of a Sri Lankan who has seen a monument of terrorist leader erected in France. It seems that so called 'liberators' are still spreading the myth which is largely responsible for the untold suffering of the masses in general and Tamils in the North and the East in particular. The poet has used short lines and apt expressions such as "A French guillotine would be safer!"

Helplessness

Being deserted over the injustice,
Done to the helpless wildlife ,
In total dismay, helplessly
I stumbled into the temple of God Shiva,
To plead strength to end the injustice...
Knelt down in front of HIM,
Eyes full of tears,
To find how helpless my Lord of animals- Pashupati is,
Struggling to justify the well being of his mount,
Bull-Nandi from,
Being slaughtered...

Kumari Alokabandara

The poem is about man's cruelty to animals. As the narrator could no longer bear it up , he goes to the temple of Shiva and pleads to save the animals from cruelty. However, it seems that God is also helpless.