Father’s Death (තාත්තාගේ මරණය)

fathers-death-poem

(An English translation of Prof. Wimal Dissanayake’s poem, “තාත්තාගේ මරණය” (Thāththāge Maranaya) which was originally written in Sinhala)

Just as groping in the darkness
in search of a precious gem,
the doctor was looking for a drop of breath
left in father’s body.
With frightened eyes we peered at the scene
in utter stillness
My heart, restlessly moving
hither and thither
like a soft bud caught in a
whirlpool of wind
As motionless as a mountain
in bantering excitement
Dumbfounded like a stone,
quite motionless
Slowly,
the doctor raised his hand
and took a shaken look at the bystanders
who were around the bed
with eyes floating in a rivulet of tears
 
We waited earnestly
until a silver lining would appear,
as the doctor laboriously tried to watch us
with a haunting expression in his face
He failed,
and immediately turned his head towards the floor
The sky ached in vociferous thunder
while rains of tears welled out of eyes
and fell down on the floor
 
Pacifying the dark vibes
appeared the pale decorations
like a soothing balm!

– Prof. Wimal Dissanayake

– Translated by: Indunil Madhusankha







1 comment

  1. Dipto Rhid Matin February 22, 2016 5:44 am  Reply

    Dear,
    g Very ood afteornoon.Lt of thanks for sending to me this poem.I read the poem.Very nice Me Joint Secretary of Bangladesh Govt.I am also a poet.
    Best regards
    Matin.expression.Really I am impress.Tragedy gives pleasure some time,it like so.It is tragic but for a good writing pleasantly for me.

Leave a reply to Dipto Rhid Matin Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *