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
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