Is somebody still there?

To relax on my shoulder
To sleep on my lap
is somebody still there?
To love, live and keep hopes on, is somebody still there?
To listen to me and care for me, is somebody still there?
To wipe my tears away
is somebody still there?
To hold my hands and touch them tenderly is somebody still there?
To cheat me and give me false promises, is somebody still there?
I'm still searching,
No one is there.
Except the one who left me .......

Himal N. Bannehaka

Poetry persona: a new perspective

As we continue to explore different approaches to poetry, today we are going to look at the persona poem. Persona poems are poems written from a perspective other than your own. You use your imagination to enter the world of another character.

You can write a persona poem from the perspective of a friend, an enemy, a relative, a pet, a celebrity, a historical figure, a character from literature or you can make up a character of your own.

The basis or a persona poem is a change in point-of-view. You aren't just writing about another character, you are writing as if you were that other character. You think of the point of view of that character. You imagine that character's thoughts, actions, skills and limitations. You try to capture the world in which that character lives and you portray it as if you were that character.

This is a style of poetry that is heavily influenced by fiction. You leave behind your point of view and take on another. You try to bring a character to life and make that character interesting to your readers. It can be challenging, but also freeing. You are given the chance to change your style, tone and perspective, at least for the length of one poem.

Adding a fictional layer to your poetry allows you to address issues you can't comfortably express as yourself. Persona poems can be an excellent method to deal with personal issues that are too close to you to write about from your own perspective. Persona poems can also be a great way to explore your feelings about social or personal issue by looking at it from the other side. What would the person on the other side of the issue say to you?

 To the winner

Today you are the
fastest in the world,
the gold medal is your's
And the whole world
is looking at you
the whole world
is talking about you
thousands of people
are dreaming to be like you.
Yet, that is only until
You can be the best.
You got this place,
by passing someone
but one day someone
will pass you
Then you will be a loser
and no one will look at you
no one will talk about you
except you

Kaveesh Wijayawickrama

'My Love'

When you Look at the sky
The moon will tell
How much I like you....
The stars will tell
How much I need you.....
The birds will tell
How much I care for you......
And ........
The Whole galaxy will tell
How much I love you......

To : S From : Kumudu

 People need people

To tease,
To talk to,
To walk with,
To put you at ease,
To make life useful
To cry,
People will always need people,
To love,
To hug and to kiss,
To miss,
If you're alone,
It's hard to share,
When no one is there,
There's nothing to do,
When there's no one but you, you will understand how
People need people ....

Kulunu M. Ellawala, Dambulla.

The Ladder is forgotten

Teachers are said to be
In awe and respect.
But this is not true
As they now expect
The Kings in days of yore
Saw them as men of lore.
But they that rule these days
No more see them so!
Being used as ladder
Those in seats of power high
They are harshly kicked off by
Those living with stipend high!
While the stethoscope is drowned in luxury,
The cane is starving in poverty.
Only when the sun rises for the teachers,
The nation will begin to prosper!

M. Raafeek

 Letting go

I had a feeling... a colorful one..
It grew with my thoughts
Opening new doors to avenues I never knew
I was happy and excited
Chatting happily about it with my friends
and it blossomed with time..
Into a dream wrapped with uncertainty
Yet it was so beautiful that I couldn't let go..
I wanted to forget it
I badly wanted to explore
Even if I had to face many obstacles on my way
Yet I still feared to face it..
I never told...
Hoping I would be asked...

But now I know I will never tell..
Nor will I ever be asked..
For all that time I was only dreaming..
I see the dark veil that wraps my dream
My eyes were binded, I realize..
My thoughts were biased on what I wanted to believe
Its not too late, I think
To let this feeling pass...
As yet another memory, meant to be cherished forever,
Deep inside the little trove in my heart

I don't regret the hours I spent dreaming,
Quietly with myself, alone
My heart was filled with hopes
and I had a reason to face life
With might and courage I didn't know I had

I am finally willing to let go of my dream
That started as a single feeling
and took me on a journey so enlightening
It opened my eyes into reality
It edified me with knowledge and understanding
I am setting you free my dream
Before you wither into a lifeless petal
Fly as far as you can...
and find the chosen one...
The one that was meant to have you
and bring joy and colour into her life..

For he was never meant to be mine.

Anushka

To the mind

Will you ever stop crying baby?
for countless years
I have been caring for you
Putting aside everything that worthed
Just for the sake of searching
a twinkle smile of you...
Millions of years
Searching for the smoothness
of your rosy cheeks
I'm dreaming what you love
I'm hating what you hate
in every word I try to heal you
singing divine lullaby being
the craving in the form of love
the invisible cord 'between' you and me
makes me like earth
that bears all pains and sorrows
with no complaints..
will you ever stop crying baby?
once you're mature enough
I will be crowned in my motherhood
Never will be born to a mother...

Irosha Gurusinghe