Across the Great Divide

Across the great divide

Thangammah knew no Sinhala, I knew no Tamil

Yet, we both comprehended

Each other’s underlying sentiments

For our fallen heroes

North and South of the divide

Precious lives snatched in their prime

Some for a cause

And for the others, it was their duty

We argued vehemently, for “our” people

Yet the salient wish was peace

Our pivotal point of consensus

The distant boom of gun fire and shelling

Shattered the tranquility of a quiet dinner

Tempted to lick my fingers

After tucking into Thosai and Iddly

Dripping with a spicy sambar

My city manners repulse me

I affectionately gaze at her lined face

A mother to me in an alien land

Which I have stealthily trespassed

As the morning sunrays cast a glimmer

In the statuesque Palmyra trees

My gracious hostess kisses my forehead

 Wishing me a safe journey

Across Elephant Pass

Back in Colombo in a plush shopping mall

I spot a Diwali Card, with endearing words

Emotions overpowering, with trembling hands I scrawl

Dearest Thangamma,

May the Deities protect you until we meet again

By: Keerthi Wijekulasuriya

Moss unraveled

It was the cynosure
Of all eyes
Multihued cubes
Were tossed
On to a
Crystal bowl
The glassy liquid
Over it
Created a stunning illusion
Of a
A gem studded mirror
Centre stage among       
Soufflés, Mousses
And Tiramisu
It glamorized
The dessert table to the hilt
The guests gazed at it
In awe
Hesitant to delve in
Lest they shatter the
Spectacular sight

The chef hovered by
Madam,
Why not try this
I ponder
It’s meant to be savoured
The varied flavours
Of Raspberry, plum
Orange and lemon
Invigorate me
We all scoop down
And indulge in the
Delectable Moss Jelly


BY:  Keerthi Wijekulasuriya

July Meeting

We had a very interesting meeting this morning, for July, at the Beach Wadiya.

Following attended:-

Asgher Hussain

Chantelle Arendtsz

Fazli Sameer

Kasun Pathirage

Kiara Arendtsz

Kirthi Wijekulasooriya

Melinda Arendtsz

Neela Goonetilleke

Nafisa Thahirally

Peter Arendtsz

Pierangeli Andrado

Proceedings kicked off with,

Kiara (Madonna) narrrating her poem titled, "Nature, Mixed and Matched" where she went into a philosophical dissection of the many facets of thunder, lightning, win dd and rain in a very beautiful manner.

Peter (and Melinda) read out a very hilarious account of his great granddfather's encounter with the "Milk Rice Castle" in a cemetery while riding home after a few, in a horse cart driven by Muthu.

Kirthi rendered a very sweet account of the mesmering effects of Jelly sitting on a dessert table in her "Moss Unravelled" epic.

Fazli read out a poem, titled "Ships", written in 1992 while serving with the MOD in the Sultanate of Oman, that related a brief encounter of people passig each otherr,  that he had experienced in the Persian Gulf.

A finger licking serving of Chinese Rolls, Maalu Paan, and Chocolate Eclairs, washed down with EGB, folded up the morning session.

The August meeting will be hosted by Kirthi & Kasun. Kindly inform them of your attendance to facilitate catering.

We have also decided to set up a WhatsApp Group in order to facilitate communication. Please let me have your mobile phone number if you would like to be included in the group, andd I will add you in accordingly.

Fazli

SHIPS

SHIPS

Just a brief
conversation, over dinner;
Two Worlds had spun!

Two hearts, spoke
across a table;
Had so much fun!

Is it love,
or a loneliness;
that brings us together?

From up above,
He provides us;
A sweet scented savor!

We reach out,
so blindly, moving;
Away, out of sight!

Like two ships,
passing each other;
Through a stormy night!

Fazli Sameer

Ministry of Defence, Seeb Camp, Sultanate of Oman, 1992

A Glimpse of Taste

A Glimpse of Taste

Along the Skies
Around the Mountains
Beneath the Sea
All what we see is Blue and Green.

Look at the Sky so blue and free
Look at the birds that fly with glee
Look at the golden rays that sparkles on the Sea.
Giving the viewer " A GLIMPSE OF TASTE".

Climb on the Mountains so high and tall
Climb through rocks which is steep and small
Climb to a strong tree without a stumble or fall
Gaze towards the pastures and lurshes swaying in the wind.
Proving that" EVER GREEN CAN REFRESH EVERY EYE ".

Dive against the unwinding waves
Dive beneath the rocky road caves
Dive against corals and paves
Swim along the shoal of fish until its dusk and the sun glare quits.


By Kiara Arendtsz (18)
29-06-2019

The Stone Killer

THE STONE KILLER

A Sri Lankan Malay Farook hadn't much to do during this period in Colombo.So he decided to visit his sister in Badulla.Young and full of energy Farook used to live a moderate life in Colombo.

Those good old days only a few people had water service to their houses,the unfortunate had to fetch their water in buckets or pots from the road side tap.

Farook had heard about a family near his sister's house creating problems and giving hardships to his sister and her family.But the sister just bore up or ignored all this injustice and pain.

There was one thing that could not be avoided fetching water from nearby road tap.

One morning,as his sister went to fetch water the men in that house took her bucket and threw it to a distance and started to shout in slang and abusing her.

Farook saw everything from the window,but did not get worked up and waited for the opportunity.

Farook's sister did not know that he noticed the incident.After a while the sister went to do her shopping to town and Farook quickly went up to the gate of the house of the people who were making trouble and shouted,"You dirty cowards you can only fight with women,why don't you come out and fight with me like men".

To Farook's surprise he saw about ten young men walking towards him.What could he have done in a moment like this?His thinking power was all over finally he bent down and picked up a reasonably sized stone and flung it towards the coming crowd.

The stone struck the man who was in the front and he fell dead instantly.The others who were with him ran away.The Police was alerted and Farook fell behind bars.

Night came and the O.I.C was having a conversation that could be heard to a distance.He spoke in his native language Malay.

Farook listened to the conversation and understood that the O.I.C was a Malay as him.

He waited until the telephone conversation was over and asked to see the O.I.C. The O.I.C from a distance asked him what was the problem.The O.I.C got Farook out and changed the statement of inquiry,gave it another look.A much more favourable one for Farook.The case was heard and Farook was given a three year jail sentence.When Farook got out,he was not the old person he used to be.

He associated with all the Criminals and Drug dealers.Once he became a pawn for three criminals,undertaking all their contracts.

After coming out of Prison and three years he spent in jail has changed his life completely.He became a big Drug dealer and faced many Legal and Social Problems.Once he had to hide or run to another City to avoid confrontation with such noted characters.
Finally he thought of coming back to normal and civilized life.It was determination that has brought him where he is today.

When I met Farook in year 1997 at Dons Stanley's where I was a Manager and he was a senior cook.After working for a while we became friends.

Farook had given up all his bad habits and chosen to be a cook.He still lives near the Insurance Corporation Headquarters,Slaves Island.

Anyone who wishes to meet him may do as he is a good guy now and is called"FAROOK    
NANA".


By Peter Arendtsz
29-06-2019.

The Right Side

It is always good to write about the right. Specially the right side. It is so good to see someone on the right side.

Think about your right hand how helpful it is to you in many ways. It is advantageous to be the right hand person of somebody.

Even in the High Courts or Police they say that you have the Right to remain silent.

It is always safe when you walk on the right hand of the road. It is useful to recognize the right.

I am presently writing and talking as I have the right to do so.

Do you remember when your teacher used to put a right to your answers. Right is always good and bring you joy.

Even God loves righteous people. Have you ever heard about the Right Royal Welcome.

How if I would say that it serves you right for being late to work. It is possibly difficult to live without the right person.

The right has five letters, while the wrong also has five letters.

Now realize which side you are on, the right or the wrong?

Madonna Arendtsz (12)
29-06-2019