Monday, 6 November 2017

From the Peacock Caste

Seeing the unforgiving drought
racing and roaring in
spouting dust from mouth and nostril

breaking door and window of nest
gathering whatever hands can lay on
migratory birds do flee to the faraways

However dry the zone may be
they remain on branches dead and dying 
and none, not one of the peacock caste
to lush places fly

If there are kids without toys
at play in a garden nevertheless
swoop down instantly they will
and drop a feather or two
as per the custom of the tribe. 


[translation of "මොනර කුලයෙන්" from the collection "මීළඟ මීවිත" (The next wine) by Ruwan Bandujeewa] 

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