An ancient forest

Across the crystal waters,
Lies an ancient forest,
And among its harmonic murmurs,
I hope to get some rest.

So over the river I went,
To the place of jungle scent,
Where my day I will spend,
Until it comes to an end.

I leant on to a bark,
With a mind free of task,
Under the swaying branches,
I listened to the sweet low whispers.

Of the forest high and wide,
With a rabbit by my side,
And on my face appeared a frown,
When the sun had gone down.

Savithru Jayasinghe

Banner of freedom

In the wafting balmy air,
Silhouetted against the azure,
Of a land that's beyond compare.

Against the backdrop of lush vegetation,
Of cloud-topped mountain peaks,
Roaring cataracts proclamation,
The mystery of the surrounding seas.

Reminder of the sons of Lanka's soil,
Who pitched their unity against alien rule,
Sans bloodshed, war, sans fear, turmoil,
To achieve their goal.

Symbol of Unity, Faith and Trust,
Of a people's dedication,
Under one banner may we forward thrust,
In a re-dedication.

Jeannette Cabral

An ode to a little birdie from my abode in Scarborough

My little birdie,
Do not fly away,
I'd love to see you,
In my solitude.

You are so sweet,
That none can refute,
Flitting among many a bough
I spy you often somehow.

Are you the only one?
Or your flock takes each a turn,
For my eyes to feast
And to my heart render a treat.

Over the maple leaves of Scarborough,
There has never been a crow,
To scare you from your domain,
Never to be seen again.

You perch on your bath,
None to deter your path,
To have a peep at me,
And you for me to see.

Keep coming along,
I may not live long,
The other world is a mystery,
When I would be history.

Rasheedha Mohideen