Beyond the fence,
flowers and creepers;
fearful and shy
lovers trembling in passionate embrace.
Waves breaking incessantly.
the agony and haste
of flight to safety.
The spark of righteous anger
a straight line on the sea,
unswerving we stayed the course,
reaching the Hague
where dawn and dusk
merged as one.
“Goluhathavaththin thunveniyamatta” –
your music my lullaby.
I heard her cry
I saw your tears.
Scattered like floating lotus
defying land and time,
our wings gained strength.
Your life the essence of kindness.
Divided by land and sea and space,
our dreams
a constant bridge.
“Son, where are you?
I don’t hear your voice,
send me your picture.”
The messages you sent.
The telephone bursting with
love.
A short life,
what did we learn?
We are puddles
created by chance;
not crystals of love;
poetry, music and freedom
remain always entwined;
we can tread on fire, or
defy the wind;
we cannot lose our lives.
This year in the Hague
when we met,
my farewell was final.
From you
a smile and a tear.
Translated from Tamil by Chelva Kanaganayakam