The writer's fate

There's a diaspora
made of words,
all those little nothings or trivialities
that once were gathered in particular ways,
gelled with tenderness or anger
issued with hope and prayer
let loose in a map
where they were embraced
by country and citizenry,
granted temporary visa,
sent to homeless shelter,
made resident and citizen,
given unbelievable jobs
pensioned off,
mugged, mauled, raped, robbed and
allowed to die.
And I, word-turner
reconfigurator and mendicant
taker from one and giver to another
like a fond father who loves but does not claim,
I send eye along horizon
waiting
and waiting
for children I know will never return
to burn me with anger or love
and bury my ashes
or toss them into moving waters,
as per the death-rights of the privileged.
I will go in silence.

Malinda Seneviratne

In this long narrative poem, the narrator describes about a diaspora made out of words, perhaps, phrases and entire lexicons. They are the words gathered in a particular way. These writers turn phrases in that particular manner are granted citizenship and amazing jobs so that they can continue to write the same kind of fictions throughout their lives. Those writers also can lead comfortable lives in their adapted countries.

However, the narrator is not one of them and opted to live in the land of birth and looks into the horizon as a 'fond father' who does not claim anything. He waits knowing well that his children will not return even to bury him and to toss his ashes into moving water. The poet has used simple diction though he deals with a complex matter.

Genkan

Nature, you've made your anger known.
You lost control on all your pent up bitterness
Which you carefully hid away,
Boiling and frothing underneath the crust of calm.
But they have saved themselves
From the dreary depths of destruction,
Do not look far, but down at your feet
Shoes arranged in a line
At the entrance of a makeshift refuge,
Bears enough evidence
Of unshaken nerves and lasting wills.

('Genkan' are traditional Japanese entryways for houses, maintained for the primary function of removing shoes before entering the house.)

Nillasi Liyanage

The poem is about the horrendous earthquake and tsunami which wiped out some villages in Japan claiming thousands of lives and causing extensive damages. The poet captures one of the important signs of Japanese culture Genkan at the entrance to a makeshift camp for environmental refugees. Genkan is an entryway to Japanese houses where the visitors remove their shoes and before entering the house. Despite the calamities of unprecedented magnitude, the people of Japan are unshaken and there is a strong will to rebuild the nature from scratch. This will is signified by 'shoes arranged in a line' at the entrance to a makeshift camp. The poet has used a simple metaphor to convey a profound philosophy of life unique to the people of Japan.

A reminiscence and wish...

I walk through the same corridors,
Passing stair-cases and windows;
Where I sped past like the wind,
With happiness as my favourite friend.
The English room with cupboards of treasure,
The stage that gave limitless pleasure,
Music-room, piano, the band,
Have captured me on a timeless land.

And I search with intense eyes,
For the lovely faces that seem to hide,
Now just visible in my eyes

Voices ring in my head like melodies.
I walk and walk to a class and longingly glance
In home to find my friends in class,
But they stand and greet me quick-
I'm a teacher,Tick-tock-tick.....

On the other end of the classroom,
Now I stand everyday,
A bunch of flowers waiting to bloom,
Staring at me,like Roses in May.
Once upon a time, I too was there,
With friends of mine, laughter to share.
With courage to cope
Eyes lit with hope

To go up and take the world in storm......
I know the joys, simple pleasures,
Disguised heart-break, paralysing fears.
'Coz not long ago, I too was there-
Running about and saying my prayers.
I want, all of your dreams to come true,
'Coz I still see myself in YOU.

That you may fly and touch the sky,
Courage renewed, head held high!
I want the world to treat you kind,
With less illusions that make you blind;
Yet I know, life out there
Is getting darker more than fair.........
But take heed, my child sweet,
There are lovely mornings to greet.
To crown your efforts and chase the blues,

To solve the puzzle, with precious clues.
It's not as bad and dark as they say,
Have faith, I know you'll find the way................................
 

G.C.Priyangwada Perera

In this narrative poem, the narrator, who is a teacher, reminisces his or her past as a student sitting in a class, passing like a wind the same corridors, the English room. The poet vividly realise the strong sense of nostalgia. Now the narrator plays a different role in the same school as a teacher and narrator sees her in them and wishes them a bright future despite the harsh reality outside the classroom. The poem stands out for its master craftsmanship and it's recreation of the sense of nostalgia which is universally appreciable.

Inspiration in the early morning

When I get up
Early in the morning
I hear the chirping of the birds
Oh! How is it sweet to hear?
It's the song of the success
It strengthens my heart
Giving fresh feelings to mind
Flowers that bloom around my house
Are tossing their heads to welcome me
They give great expectations to life
The ground is twinkling with the dew drops
That came from the sky
The twinkling lush green grass and trees
Remember me the lesson on photosynthesis,
How miraculous the way,
Plant life maintains animal life
By trapping solar energy?
And also on flowers of vivid colours
They are shining like gems
Then I go to the garden, and pluck some flowers
To offer the Buddha
And light up a lamp to Buddha
I wish also, as this lamp lights the flower alter,
I will be able to light the whole world
Being a doctor,
It awakes the giant hidden in my mind
Before I go to school, I worship my mother and father
When they bless me putting their hands on my head
With the statement of "Triple Gem bless you"!
I get a giant power
I think this is the song of success

Dulma Dushyanthi

The poem is about the spell-binding beauty in the early morning. The poet skilfully describes the beauty and the wonders of nature which inspire her to make a fresh start and serve the people at large. The poet commences the day by offering flowers to the Buddha and worshiping the parents before leaving for work.

The poem is noted for its unfettered expression of feelings and capturing of the beauty of nature.

Public health class in embassy

To reach young minds
In Laos
To teach
Research on Oral Health
Of Public

I flew
From New York
Via Bangkok
Hoping
To obtain visa upon arrival
in Laos

No such luck
I am held
In Bangkok
As I hold
A passport
From a Land of Terrorists

Another night
In Bangkok
An early visit
To Laos Embassy
Sharp at 8 am
On a Monday morning

Officers are on break
Smoking in the back, I am told
I wait

With hundreds
Who probably
Camped out here
The night before
Their luggage is
Empty white sugar sacks

Cheap plastic bags
Worn out clothes
Long unkempt hair

I wait among them
In my suit
Holding

My red Samsonite bag
Searching their faces

These are the people
I am supposed to help
By teaching

Oral Health
in Laos and other places

I shift my mind
From text books
Fancy theories

Modern class rooms
In New York

In my mind
I engage in a real chat
With real people
Who teach me

Oral Health
Economics
And Public Health

A young innocent girl
wearing a t-shirt
That says
'Crisp as f...k'
She teaches me

How the West influenced her
Or pollute her mind

They teach me
Right before my eyes
In this Embassy compound

More things
Than I ever learnt
From books
From my elite colleagues
More than I teach
To my students in New York

I see the teeth
Gums and faces
All need work
Yellow stains
Probably from smoke

Cavities
Bleeding
Perhaps, halitosis
May be anemia

All preventable
If I was allowed
To go to Laos
Just Yesterday.

Ananda P. Dasanayake

The poem is about an incident of holding up of a Sri Lankan diasporic professional in the Embassy in Thailand, not grating visa for his to travel to Laos because he is from a 'Land of Terrorists. The poet is to fly to Laos to teach the young students research on Oral Health of Public. However, the next day he found himself waiting at the embassy among the people to whom he was supposed to teach Oral Health.

The waiting among them turned out to be a lesson which the poet would never have learnt from books. It is the lesson in life in which he found among other things how a young girl was influenced or polluted by the West. The poet should be commended for capturing the slice of diasporic life and the sheer gap between the developed and developing world.

That's all
I have

I have no words, to murmur
I have no words to explain
I have nothing to think about
I have nothing to dream about
I have no one like you to talk with
I have no one like you to associate with
I have no more strength to cry
I have no more strength to bear up
But......
I have something to remember
I have something to value
"The sweet memories of our pure friendship
That we had together!"
("That's all I have now")

Anne Srimali Fernando

The short but evocative poem describes in eloquent terms the value of friendship. The narrator laments at the departure of a friend. The narrator says that there are no words and nothing to dream about. The narrator, a true friend has only the memories of a pure friendship. The poem is noted for its economy of expression.