Time For A Cup Of Tea Poem by Vihanga Perera

A friend from mid teens,
Who said for love he'll take his life,
Met me, a decade later, at
An obscure pharmacy with a
Prescription issued for an asthmatic child.

A decade later - he was now
In charge of forms that clients had to
Fill up, sign and return.
I was in love and ready to die for it,
Ready to set fire to my own heart; have it burn.

He said that he didn't have time for a cup of tea
Though the restaurant was staring at us
Just there, on the side. He rushed down
The steps and was lost in the crowd
Merely with a wave, when I waved; had him byed.

I have arrived at that state of Irrationality
Where you give in to your senses
Without thought, pretense. Where, for love
You lay your life - but, knowing that you do -
Calling what others call the beginnings, ends.