by Ruvindra Sathsarani

Growing among the dim wilderness
amidst the noises of the aching sea
concussions of those loud sighs
the lamentations echoing from the sea
the purple flowers grow and wither, with time.

Malee’s hair is adorned with them
among those tattered black curls
and one she keeps on her palm
with its wide open petals
staring at the dense darkness above her.

Purple sand dunes where they used to walk
where they used to play, just five years ago.
Time never erased those voices from her head.
Her friends, family and enemies, replaced
By the purple flowers growing in the wilderness.

After the war ended and the air stood calm
Malee used to wonder why the colours intensified
in each flower she passed or stepped on to;
drunk in all their blood, weren’t they?
Those gleaming wild flowers.

Poet’s Note on Malee:

The poem is to be read with relation to the 30 year war in Sri Lanka. In Sinhala the name “Malee” carries the meaning of “one who loves flowers”.

Editor’s Note on Malee:

Malee is not Ruvindra Sathsarani’s first work to appear in Eastlit. Her previous published pieces are:

• Before we Began appeared in Eastlit February 2016.
• Colombo Lights was in Eastlit June 2016.
• Down the Valley featured in Eastlit November 2016.