To the Unknown Soldier

I have dedicated this poem to all the gallant servicemen who sacrificed their lives for our Motherland - Sri Lanka, so that people like me could have a future free of terrorism and war...


To the Unknown Soldier


You march undaunted, like a lamb to the slaughter Fear – a shadow of the past:
Your heart burning with a valour so strong So pure, so mighty, so great...
The thoughts which flash past –
Your home, merriment, laughter,
The call of loved ones
All forgotten in the country’s hour of need.
The scorching sun, the pelting rain
The thunder of the guns...
You fall down – a growing tree
Somebody’s husband...somebody’s son.
No gun salutes at your rest
No publicity richly given
Only mourners to bear your bier
Sooner forgotten then remembered.
Ah! Dear son of the soil!
Whose rich flow of blood doth enrich the dust of Lanka. How shall I ever repay thee
For your life which you gave so selflessly?
May your immortal name go down in history
As a brave son of Mother Lanka.



Maheeka Ariyapperuma