‘As she walked beneath the tree, glancing up at the wailers in three.’
Following the research on birds and remembering our childhood rhymes
In a new world racing against seconds, my hands became feeble at the passing of time
Used to write, now typing on this machine called a computer by the new kind
My back ached as I sat four hours straight on my favourite antique chair,
Sipping some water as I trotted down to the fresh garden air
For eighty years nature was never the same, yet it always felt so right
As I looked up at the wailers in three, I smiled for what I gifted, was sight
As a woman without hair or teeth, I see children and remind myself of what I used to be
My mother’s voice echoed in my head as a six-year-old ran and hurt her knees
Memories were all I had to cherish till the day I pass, admiring life yet remembering it’s never granted
Desire for more is what made our clever minds, yet I believe one day, that’ll leave us terminated
Looking back at the shelf that was flooded with trophies, medals and awards,
For fifty-eight years what I did was write, hoping it moved me forward
I loved creating novels, but I ask now… ‘Where had my imagination gone?’
Not being the typical outdoor girl yet being very active,since I lost my most loved gift I felt all alone
I took a book, blewoff the dust to see my nameglow on the bestseller cover
Moving along, I read what said ‘The secrets of Blue Danube’
I didn’t remember quite at once that it meant the beauty of a river in a ballet
But I knew the youth won’t adore this now, I heard what they had said
My friends had moved on to religion, and I had no family of my own
I was gifted a talent and a wonderful life, yet not a love when I was born
After decades of writing my right hand was paralyzed, so I learnt to work with my left
Instead of being loathed at and failing my health, I’d be in comfort if I had already left
Children in the neighbourhood celebrate their birthdays with grand parties
They don’t understand they’re enjoying losing days to live
But as a great philosopher once said, ‘Even the shortest and happiest life is worthful.’
“Even though with certain ups and downs, I am happy to rest at last, for I had one of the best!”
By: Dinaya Goonetilleke, Sri Lanka
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