Vale Devasiri, my friend, with love – By Dr Sanjay Jayasinghe
God takes those he loves early, they say,
But Devasiri, machan, we wanted dearly for you to stay,
We journeyed life together, from age seven,
You though must say now ‘I beat you to heaven.’
Memories flow, some fresh, others many years ago,
Through Colombo across Sydney and with hours in Nadi too,
Year one school play, your now famous portrayal, a mother,
Your desk at class entrance, in year ten, being to us gatekeeper!
Approaching school bell, that customary grooming you begin,
Then the school bus, as hunk and star you reign,
Maverick though you were, appointed class monitor,
‘Tis when we saw emerging in you the fearless leader!
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Academic focus switch you did turn on eventually,
My impressing you upon that, often you recall, gratefully,
The uni, the career, the lot followed smoothly,
We witnessed you fly high, soaring, even literally!
Years went by, you made your own family foursome,
Enter Sydney, more memories we made so awesome,
Your girl, your boy, your pride, whom we see lots of you in,
And your loving, selfless, caring, admired by us all, Yenlin.
Those fun times at the De Silvas’ Sydney abode we savour,
Your knack for attention to detail, the humour and banter,
Reminiscing again, over and over, those moments time stood still,
Promise me machan, look down, when next we gather, you will.
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When that disease cruel slowly your body bound,
Where machan, you that valour, grit and fight find?
Will now miss the trips with mob to Waterloo,
To spend another evening machan with you!
Exit this world, one day we all will face,
You, ran well, beating us still here, that race;
Leaving us today not to grieve or mourn,
Celebrate instead you and from you learn!
When I am done here, be it whenever,
Will meet on that beautiful shore to part never,
Welcome me with an ‘ado Sanna’ and sweet smile only you know how,
Vale Devasiri, good bye my friend, with love, though only for now!
Dr Sanjay Jayasinghe
Sydney, Australia
