Photo Credit Pexells.com Nur Andi Rasvanjani Gusma
Soon it will be the time to celebrate the Sinhalese & Tamil New Year
But alas, there's currently no joy or cheer
At dawn on this day, people anoint their heads with oil, bathe and then, to wear new clothes expect
Prostrate to the elders seeking their blessings and paying utmost repect
Everyone decorates their homes with flowers and entry ways with leaves from the mango tree
These bring joy,health and good tidings, you see
Offer prayers and obeisance in places of worship
Going there is more than just a mere family trip
The ladies boil milk and watch it rise and overflow
Signifying prosperity for now and forever more
We get to eat kavum, kokis, pongal, vadai and asmi
All of us love these, including both you and me
Don't forget the kiribath, sambol and kitul syrup
Most of us wear new clothes and get dressed up
The villagers engage in games like Olinda Kaliya, and Kotta Pora--the pillow fight
Everyone has fun and its such a delightful sight
Some partake in percussing the raban, and Onchilli
Some men drink the spirits and get noisy and silly
BUT, these things are not being celebrated this year
For public gatherings and family reunions are curtailed, I fear
Instead of family get together, rejoicing and prosperity
These are sadly, dark times of COVID and adversity
We sincerely hope all this will be very soon gone
Like darkness disappearing with the first rays of dawn
Arumugam Sivakumar