Matrimony 2014 Poem by Lawanya Wijesekara

So I decided to tell him,
My father,
the liberal Buddhist,
That I'm in Love
with this nice guy
and I wish to marry...

'What does he do? '
'A doctor'. I tell him
'Which Uni? '
'British grad'
and I see pride
in his eyes.
'Religion? ' he asks
'Buddhist, of course'
I crossed my fingers
with hope
'So what's his name? '
'Prashan-(th) '
'Prashan, who? ? '
I wish he didn't see me flinch
as I utter in one breath
'Shivalingam,
- his mother is Sinhala'

Turns his gaze upon me
eyes in flame,
'That's bloody Tamil! ! !
How could you?
How dare you? '