POETRY CORNER | Sunday Observer

POETRY CORNER

14 August, 2022

The marathon

The bell rang. The doors were opened slowly, unwilling to let them go. Outsiders with amazement in their eyes, started to search for belongings.

Children from their classrooms ran towards the gate with laughter and hope in their minds for another unpredictable day. Their eyes searching for comfort and rest but there’s a look of impatience, a sense of loss of humanity.

Their bags jumping up and down with them toddling with tons of books and books and numberless pages and pages. Their toes tightened the grip of their shoes, their shoes compacted with mud and gum ready for the marathon and the marathon start.

Outside the gate, children run fearlessly with hope not sensing the danger of their lives from the goings and comings of the cars.

Their urge for rest and belongings evokes them. Jumping over the mud, walking in the mud, not considering the mud, not even a glance at it they run, a marathon very competitive, a marathon for rest.

Fighting with each other they go not for the first place but at least for second and third. Their eyes shining with anger, fear and hope, no humanity not so ever.

Of course, when there’s a marathon there’s no humanity. Can a marathon end humanity? Of course, it can. It’s not the marathon it’s your need, your urge which makes a marathon. Finally, they got in their buses, victory or defeat you have to face it, that’s life.

Words: Kalanavi Perera

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Life

To live content with small means;
to seek elegance rather than luxury,
and refinement rather than fashion,
to be worthy, not respectable,
and wealthy, not rich;
to study hard, think quietly,
talk gently, act frankly,
to listen to stars and birds,
to babes and sages,
with open heart,
to bear all cheerfully,
to all bravely await occasions,
hurry never.
In a word, to let the spiritual unbidden
and unconsciously grow up through the common.
This is to be my symphony.

Words: William Henry Channing

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Cholesterol

Scary when you hear the name
Most publicized 27-carbon lipid
This lifeless guy does wonders in the body
If you have a chest pain
If you are overweight
This makes a buzz in your mind
This lifeless guy is not a foe always
He makes hormones, vitamin D,
digestive fluids and cell membranes
He signals other cells
He tops-up money coffers in hospitals
Although less in blood,
Although more,
Feels nothing...
When you are hungry
Let’s think twice..
No eating for fun…
Pills bring healing
But, the diet cheers him…

Words: Dr. Meran Keshawa Ediriweera

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When you are not the main character of your story…

When you are not-
The main character of your story-
Who will be?
Let someone do your job?
Why?
That’s your story,
You are the Brave Boy or,
You are the Beautiful Girl,
Make that “someone”
Just your shadow,
And let them pay you,
Higher than anyone!

Words: Kalanavi Perera

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Things you can control

Your beliefs
Your attitude
Your thoughts
Your perspective
How honest you are
Who your friends are
What books you read
How often you exercise
The type of food you eat
How many risks you take
How you interpret the situation
How kind you are to others
How kind you are to yourself
How often you say “I love you.”
How often you say “thank you.”
How you express your feelings
Whether or not you ask for help
How often you practice gratitude
How many times you smile today
The amount of effort you put forth
How you spend / invest your money
How much time you spend worrying
How often you think about your past
Whether or not you judge other people
Whether or not you try again after a setback
How much you appreciate the things you have

Words: Caleb L.P. Gunner

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