Feb 9th 2009 – 11.15pm
Once, Now
Once, when I was a child, I ran away from a firing helicopter.
I never really figured out where or at what the helicopter was firing
But terrified by that unbelievably close hovering monster,
I could only think of the bullets creating deep wounds in my skin
So I ran and ran and ran – aimlessly along the road
Coming to think of it, it was not the smartest thing to do
I should have just taken shelter under a concrete structure
Maybe someone’s verandah?
But I was 12 years old and that was my first encounter
with a firing helicopter.
Now, I wonder how your children are coping with mortar shells, artillery shells, Kfir jets and cluster bombs?
Once, I got really scared when the Army rounded up my village.
They took away some of the youth
I was very grateful to God that I was a child,
and so was my little brother.
How shortsighted I was – didn’t I realise
that all children grow up and eventually become youth!
Now, I wonder how you and your children are feeling, surrounded by 50,000 Sri Lankan “Army kaarar”?
Once, I got unbelievably helpless and angry, when the EPDP paramilitary took away my 13 year old brother – forced conscription!
Hey, we managed to get him out
But that day, I thought I’ll never see him again
That day, I half died
Now, I wonder how you and your little ones are feeling when the Sri Lankan Army “screens” and separates brothers and sisters, daughters and sons?
Once, A tank turned and pointed its gun straight at me.
They were just practicing
But I instinctively ducked
That was at Navatkuli SL Army camp and I was inside the school bus,
waiting to get down and walk the 50 yards to the “check point”.
- one of our daily rituals back and forth to school
Now, I wonder how you are feeling when tanks after tanks are rolling in?
Once, I was in a refugee camp, and it was that time of the month.
One well was serving 5000 people
Luckily, I was there only for 3 days
Later we were herded and put in lorry
by not-so-polite SL Army soldiers
Looking back, I am so glad that my indignant proud father kept his cool
I am so glad that we were rich enough to catch a train to Colombo
Now, I wonder how you are coping being displaced multiple times, and for many months?
And I also wonder how it feels like to be in detention camps indefinitely…
Once, I fled my homeland for good, amidst aching grief
Tears were blurring the receding palmyras
In the Pooneryn Jetty, I slowly came to realise
that I was leaving my homeland for a long time to come
Then there were flare lights, and guess what? A helicopter came.
Not a good feeling when you are in a boat in deep waters!
But these things have to be faced when you are fleeing to a safe place.
Now, I wonder what it feels like for you, to have nowhere – absolutely nowhere – safe to go?
