Untitled Poem by Shirani Rajapakse

Out of the ruins of war rose a voice
so calm it took us by surprise. Was this
peace? We rejoiced and marveled at
the thought.

Out of the lives laid to rest, the blood
that flowed through the earth, rose
new lives. A generation that shunned
war and hate.

Out of the stench of gunfire and rotting
fresh, a warm breeze that calmed and
stilled our senses. It was the winds of
change blowing across the land.

A child smiled, an old woman’s tears
turned to laughter. Hands reached
out across divides. Touching,
embracing, healing.