Sri Lanka Poems

They call it –

The Black July

I was hiding in a dark pit,

Shivering, shaking, sobbing –

Terror howling inside me

Young – only 16

Two hands took me out –

Soothing voice

Two warm arms embracing me

I was shoved into a car –

Taken to a mansion –

Fast, fast, fast

Behind the kitchen slab,

Hiding, shivering.

Big knock on door

“Are you hiding Tamils?

Sinhala Traitors!”

“Naa naa Kavuruth naa”

“No, no, no one here” –

Retrieved from behind the slab

A beautiful lady –

Brimming with love –

Holding me –

Calming my fears

Oh, Golden July…