FOR YOU who went away …

Inspired by the final journey of Kanishka Perera as seen through the eyes of his son Kavindu.

.

Dadella cemetery, Galle, Sri Lanka.

.

The evening of Thursday 13th May 2021

.

Dedicated to the memory of all those of whom Covid has taken away

.

Gasping for breath

you clamoured for life

through tubes and masks. 

It was all in vain.

.

No words were spoken

but tears we shed.

And so you went away.

.

Two layers of polythene in a cheap wooden box,

an ambulance, your hearse,

and only your car was your funeral procession

.

No words spoken

But tears we shed.

And so you went away.

.

And as the Arch Deacon blessed your spirit

at dusk that evening in Dadella, Galle,

the winds let lose their fury

as the Heavens opened up.

.

I watched the whiffs of smoke crawl

then billow out of the chimney

as you turned to cinders and then to ash.

Ashes that were never to be ours.

.

No words spoken

But tears we shed.

And so you went away.

.

Grief clings like glue

to the pit of my stomach.

I can weep to fill the seas

as oceans of memories engulf me.

.

I know I will never get you back.

You are free from suffering.

You are free from pain.

I, NOW, am relieved you went.

.

No words spoken

But tears we shed.

And so you went away.

.

Kumar de Silva

14 May 2021