And to you, my child!

Vividly like the sun so bright
And the cool moon on a cloudless night
Remember we, that day with pride
When serenely like a blooming rose
With petals dipped in fragrant dews
Came you, to this world anew!

With the beauteous forms of love sublime
And a sacred smile just dawning down
On your face, like a silver line
Tinted with the cherubic delights
And bordered with the childish pranks
You led us, sure to ecstasy!

Day did come, to walk you to school
Bag on back with books so full
Reading drowned you fathoms deep
Into the sea of wisdom right
Elated,soar our spirits so high
Touching the skies at spiralling height!

Your marriage did bring us, a son so sweet
Besides you doll, to take us care
Your life was full that brought our home
Little darlings moving round
Chiming rhymes in unison
Silence martyred, with their shrills of joy!

As we did to you before
Resting not, from dawn to dusk
Now you do same, better and wise
Your words and deeds bear witness right
To the selfless acts of love divine
Words doth fail to depict right!

Enchanted, kneel we down below
With folded hands, to thank God Supreme
For sparing us these years of life
To witness your acts of glorious love
Which leads us again,O child
To one more ecstasy of heavenly bliss!

(Son -in- law)
Tharcius Fernando

The poet skilfully captures the overwhelming joy of seeing one's offsprings doing well in life. It is perhaps, the ultimate joy of being parents and grandparents. In this narrative poem, the poet builds up the case quite convincingly using appropriate metaphors particularly associated with one's childhood.

English for life

She hangs up high the Neon lights,
Smiles to millions in digital signs
She is there at your fingertips
Kissing them as you browse through the Web,
She is no more a stranger,
As the windy years go by.

But the moment,
She pleads your embrace,
You sulk ,shiver and shake,
Shout in disgust,
Reel in contempt,
Treat her like plague,
A sinner to burn in hell.

No harm she means now,
Gone are her masters
With blood in both hands,
The guns long fell silent,
Poses no more a deadly threat.

She comes to you now
With a chestful of legacy,
Worthy to be yours,
With jewels cherished
For many a century,

As she leans on you for embrace,
Why turn sour that cheerful face,
She is worthy to be so near,
She will prove an angel so dear.

Nalaka Dasanayaka

In this well-crafted poem, the poet poses the question why should not we embrace English which is omnipresent from glittering Neon lights above the street in the city to the web pages on the internet. The poem is noted for the use of apt metaphors and short and sharp lines.

Waiting for death...

Dreams have shattered
hopes have faded away
can't win the battle
against evil of cancer
waiting patiently
till my breath will be taken away

Umesh Moramudali

The poet resourcefully conveys the idea of inevitability of death through the mind-set of a cancer patient. Though a lot of cancer can now be cured, it remains a potent metaphor for death and the poet has effectively made use of it to convey the message.

Sometimes

I feel
the gravity of noice.
Very often
I feel
the validity of silence.

Imali Bandaranayake

In a couple of lines, the poet stresses the importance of silence against noise. The poem is noted for brevity and the philosophical idea it conveys.

Don't cry for me

Don't tell me death is too fantastical,
Went to underworld once and came,
Still not afraid to go there again,
But promise me; promise me that you won't cry

If I die, before you, now don't sigh,
Sooner or later, I would leave you behind,
Be strong, take each day, live your life,
In my grave, I will be, I will be alright

All good things should come to an end,
Everything's subject to change and they end,
If you're born, you should die,
That's inevitable, trust me, it's not a lie

Don't cry for me, when I'm gone,
I won't hear you, just a waste of your tears,
You don't know what you had, till I'm buried,
Love me when my heart is warm and still beating

by Dakshima Haputhanthri

In essence, the poem is a fervent plea on the part of a girl to a boyfriend. The poet has skilfully captured the voice of a girl pleading for love when she is in her prime of youth and requesting her boyfriend not to cry when she is gone.

Backtrack me my God , that fraction of my life...

Beset my pride
that I use to let someone down
Disturb my vanity
that hunts me a faintest crown
Look into the love
that my thoughts selfishly corrupts
Chasten my jealousy
grown with years around...

My wrath, my lust
and my peevish cravings
God, help me to overcome
all my dirty feelings
My childhood , my innocence
as you said that was the true heaven
Backtrack me my God
that fraction of my life..!

Surangi Thalawitiya

The poem is noted for its brevity of expression and its supplication for divine intervention to prevent one from behaving badly. In essence, the poem is a prayer of a devoted believer.

Modern Sathi Pooja

The harsh dry cold
Envelops my soul
The soft yellow light
Bathes the river valley in the night

I toss and turn in my bed
Without making any noise
As a thief
Tip toeing through the house

Her face is lit
From the soft moon light
That seeps through the window
From the river valley below

Mona Lisa and an Angel
Peacefully play on her face
I stay still as not to wake them up
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world

If I die tonight in this dry cold
Gasping for air
I want her to come with me
To the other side

So she will be there
She will be safe
She will be sound
She will not have to say

To anyone
How happy she was
Until her love was taken away.

Ananda P. Dasanayake

In this poem, the poet depicts a woman's sorry plight in the East and wishes that if he dies, his love may also come with him. The inhuman custom of Sathi Puja was banned in India. The poem is noted for rich imagination and short and effective lines.

Ode to Southlands

One hundred and twenty five
Golden years done
Southlands our alma mater
We sing you praise with devotion,
Your beautiful image embedded,
In the hearts of your dear children,
And shine as gold,
A full moon on a cloudless sky,
From Freethy, Westlake, Devos and Ridge
Pioneer principals of fame
And next in the line to create a name
Were the dear teachers to decorate you,
You moulded many a scholar bright
To immense golden heights
To reach the stars high
Your image is beautiful
Fragrant, precious and eternal
Moulded all facets arts, science, sports and drama
Beautiful dramas with melodious strains
We are greatful, ever greatful
For the services rendered lovingly
Irrespective of cast, creed and religion
As children of one mother
Your great task done
You made a 125 Hundred and Twenty Five
Golden years proud,a humble bow,
With honour we give.
May you shine to the eternity?
With the golden motto
Knit togethe with love and service.

A devoted past pupil
Patricia Mangalika Yahampath

In this narrative poem, which is a tribute to her alma mater Southlands Girls' College, the poet narrates the long and distinguished history of the premier girls' college in the Southern Sri Lanka which has a proud history over 125 years. The poem is noted for the use of apt metaphors and genuine voice.