Saturday, April 28, 2018

The Train Station - Jaffna

Estranged.
Listless.
Waiting for the exit train to arrive

Green grass seeps through the tracks, the cracks
Abandoned by him, forsaken by her
Engulfed by the earth, the sun, the rain, the wind

Life beneath the rails, asleep but not yet dead.
Awaken. Awaken from your slumber
Break the fasteners, the ties, the tread

The machines leave, the voices wane
The lights dim, the footsteps fade

That is the time to rise.

Rise when they laugh. Rise when they sleep.
Rise when they drink. Rise when they breathe.

Soar like the sun aiming for her zenith
Stay like the moon.
Forever present and still

Sway gently with the breeze, bend and vary each passing day
Yet sturdy like the tree – a banyan tree
With roots into the sky and branches deep in the soil

Swallow them whole.
The sly sneers.
The illusive eyes.

Take Judas’ kiss with a smile.
Knowing all the while it is Judas
For he won’t change;
But neither will You.