by Ruvindra Sathsarani

Down the valley
through the dense vegetation
of trees, grass, purple wild flowers
the ghostly lament of the sea
and trains swishing past, ceaselessly
towards the City and back again.

The greenery, so wild, wild!
Undisturbed, waving in the wind.
The rustling leaves, heard within the peace
of my heart and the wild birds
hiding under the foliage, singing ceaselessly.

Some years ago, they brought tombstones
when they came back from war,
big headstones with names on them
with faces too, thousands lined up on the soft brown earth
conquered the valley we loved
chased us away, the leaves, the grass and the feathers.

Still the sea laments, ceaselessly.

Poets Note on Down the Valley:

The poem is to be read with reference to the socio-political changes caused by the 30 year war in Sri Lanka.

Editor’s Note on Down the Valley:

This 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.