Sinharaja Rainforest

Sinharaja Poem

 
Where raindrops, their crystal hearts, sing a love song ever changing
Where woodpeckers and hummingbirds greet each other every morning
Where crocodiles and reptiles carouse, act up, brawl; then kiss goodnight!
Where fairies dance on starlit nights  and  goblins mischief makes you smile

In your woods I gently trek, your many hues; I hold my breath!
By sparkling streams I sit awhile oh weary soul, I need some rest
Your canopy holds such wondrous grace; the creators feast, a masterpiece!
Sinharajah, our very own; picturesque, unending

Your pages unfold  streams of grace, beguiling, fascinating
A forest floor, an under story, a canopy so lush, green trees above!
Reptiles, birds, snakes and mammals you house, a heavenly ark, a fine abode
With love you weave, to you I cleave, the creators grace everlasting

Laurussia and Godwana land, your history dates eras of old
The Rakwana Massif, Galle, Matara and Ranpapura you conjoin and clothe with grace
Your eco system preserves and saves, shields and keeps, our land, our home
When chopped ande raped, stripped undressed, you turn your face “my soul you’ve bruised”

Where peace, grace and love abide in multigenerational families of old
Where wattle and daub homes, roofs thatched with bamboo; an alluring, enchanting feast
Where Ayurvedic medicines, herbs and spices, are gathered, steeped and sold with love
Warukandeniya and Kolontotuwa villages, Sinharajah, you pleasurably host

The Greater Racket tailed drongo, the Noicy orange billed Babbler
The Red faced Malkoha, the Green billed Coucal and Blue Magpie
The Green pit Viper, the Purple faced Langur
Sinharajah, our very own; picturesque, eternal

Sinhagala, Pinipitigala, Mulawella your majestic, delightful peaks
Kudawa, Pitadeniya, Morningside your gateways studded in gold
Bird watching, waterfall trekking, canoeing, lake fishing and nature walks
Sinharajah, our very own; picturesque, never-ending

A lowland evergreen forest steeped in legend, folk lore and mystery
Sinha – Lion, Rajah- King, A princess; the origins of a Sinhala race
A world heritage site, carbon sequestration, priceless to humankind
With love you weave, to you I cleave, the creators grace eternal

In your woods I gently trek, your many hues; I hold my breath!
By sparkling streams I sit awhile oh weary soul, I need some rest
Your canopy holds such wondrous grace; the creators feast, a masterpiece!
Sinharajah, our very own; picturesque, everlasting

– Mary-Anne Willis







1 comment

  1. Avril March 6, 2016 11:28 pm  Reply

    Just beautiful, Mary-Anne, you have such a way with words !

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