Tags
A T Dharmapriya, A. IQBAL, Martyrs, Mirrored Images: An Anthology of Sri Lankan Poetry, Parakrama Kodituwakku, Patrick Fernando, poems, Poetry, S Sivasegar, The Fisherman Mourned by His Wife, The Sun Tarry a While
PARAKRAMA KODITUWAKKU
The Sun Tarry a While
Father is still at work…..
I, starting to pant early
am resting my head
on a clump of grass
in the chena
watching the distance far away.
Like small silver blades
the grass blades sprout.
A red ant wanders
along my shirt sleeve.
A song drops down
from open bird-beaks.
Pods of flowers leap up
splitting the earth’s skin.
Sacrificing its yellow yolk
the sun comes closer
Please stay awhile, sun
says my mind like a child
stay awhile, you, the sun!
The roads are only half done
only a little is written
in my letters
just one half the song is sung
the journey is not over yet.
It’s a long long way to go!
The flowers are yet to bloom fully
grant more time to put the house roof on
a lot more there is to learn.
You sun, please tarry awhile.
Translated by A T Dharmapriya