The healing touch

by Ranga Chandrarathne

"The Healing touch of a mother", an evening of poetry by Asoka Paliyaguruge will be held on August 25,2006 at 6.30pm at Alliance Francaise Kandy with the participation of students and teachers.

Asoka Palliyaguruge after completing her primeary education , at Ananda Sasthralaya,Kotte and Caranel Convent,Kalmunai, joined Vincent Girls' High School Batticaloa and Vishaka Vidyalaya to further her studies.

She joined Gal Oya Development Board (later Valleys Development Board) as its first Lady Receptionist and thereafter serving as translator she was promoted to the post of Administrative Officer/ Public Relation Officer untill her retirement in 1998.

Her fluency in English,Sinhala and Tamil Languages armed with a Diploma in Management greatly helped her to execute her duties in her chosen career which extended up to many regions in the field of Administration.

Presently she teaches English in a reputed Language Centre in Kandy, writes English Poetry to the daily press and also functions as a volunteer counselor of the Cancer Society of Kandy. Her maiden publication

" The Power bird and other poems"(An anthology) is in print.

Here, we publish one of her poems

" The Healing Touch of a Mother"

I recall a time when I was

restless and in pain

Hardly able to breath

When my mother stood by

my bed till dawn

Chanting "Pirith" till I sleep

Her frail soft hand rested

-on my brow

Saying soothing words, soon-

-I'd be well

And be up and about and-

-do my best

At the forthcoming crucial test

There were painkillers and

-drug to alleviate my pain,

Yet I did not have any faith

On capsules, drops and needle picks

I only trusted my mother's words

How little think of your abounding love

That had no reserve but flowed like flood gates

I fail to recall a remedy as such

Like a mothers healing touch