Circles

We are pleased with the number of very good contributions that came in for our page on 'Circles'. The variety of ideas expressed by different writers about one word is indeed striking.

Could we please ask contributors who wish to use simply their initials or a pen name to send their names and addresses for our reference? We guarantee that the names will not be published.

The theme for next month's '100 word page is "Roads". Please send in your contributions by February 19 to:

Madhubhashini Ratnayake,
C/o The Sunday Times,
No. 8, Hunupitiya Cross Rd.,
Colombo 2.

Circle of imprisonment

She glanced at her left hand. On her ring finger the little circular band glistened. Maliciously it gave soft smiles. She returned that smile with a scornful glare. She stared at it with hatred and contempt.

She plucked it off as though it was an evil object, a serpent who imprisoned her. She sensed the circles of watchmen shattering, the coils of the serpent withdrawing, her enslavement to that deceiving object perishing making her escape, from the circular curse bewitching her life.

But, what next is awaiting her, in this circle of life? Who knows.

Nirmala Dassanayake

Daniel

Did you lose your way on a cloudy night
whilst journeying the winding road?
Did you search for the brightest star in the sky
that, in time, would light your path to joy?
I think you did -
but you didn't journey too far.
You travelled in a circle
- one full, complete, circle
and you found yourself
Where you began.
The cloudy night is now yours, Daniel.
You might have the moon someday -
but will you ever find your star again?

M.E.

Different Circles

The two women were standing in the queue, one behind the other - both in sari, gracefully draped, with bangles circling their wrists.

The first woman reached the counter and held out her form. The clerk saw the circle of a red bindi on her forehead and the tiny diamond circlet glittering on her nostril. Then he looked at the second woman and espied no distinguishing marks on her face.

He spoke to the second woman.

"You first."

Coomerene Rodrigo

Expectation

He sauntered towards the class
eyeing the cat
who cautiously avoided him
Today he let it be
A sense of uneasiness had crept over him
like a cloud
Yet he held his careless air
The teacher handed over his test paper
With a pretentious air of ease
he dropped heavily into the chair
He glanced at his paper
and there it was at the top of the page
He looked up, his mind in chaos
and shut his eyes
but all he kept seeing was
that unmistakable red circle

Prasadini Nanayakkara

The secret letter

When I was small
my mother always told me
about a secret and valuable letter.
Those days, I asked her
"What is it? Please show it to me, Mama."
And she said "No,
You are much too young to understand it.
I will show it when you are older."
For a long time, I forgot.
Then one day, my mother called me
and gave me that letter.
I looked at it.
There were only many circles of woes in that letter
I asked, "Mama, who wrote this
to whom?"
And she said, "My only son wrote this when he was just
three years old. Not only that, he gave it to me himself and told me,
"A letter for you Mama".
Now I understand . And I know
how many lovely things are
written in this letter.

Dinusha Deshapriya

A full circle

Where's that boy with stick in hand driving that metal circle? Racing pell - mell! then crash! They've all turned turtle.

Up he jumps, a brisk rub, then he's off once more racing through those carefree days, he knows he'll see no more.

Where's that boy with jaunty step, slinging stone and catapult, calling friends with secret whistle calls of some boyhood cult. Where are those 'sixes', the neighbours' complaints, the sound of breaking glass.

Those demure girls with steadfast hearts come no more to mass.

Gone, gone, a life once so simple, gone with the boy, the stick and the circle.

Janine

Unmade circle

" Children! stand in a circle."
I hear the P.T. teacher order outside the room.
I am left in loneliness. They have gone to their exercises.
I hear the counts "1,2,3,4, 1,2,3,4....."
Both feet touch the sand.
It is essential, I thought, to be in a circle.
The teacher continues,
"Children make two circles....."
My wheelchair also had two circles.

Wasana Gunawardena

My love

" My dear,
No more puzzles
Tell me.
How much you love me."
Once he asked me on a bus,
"Don't you know?
My love's a circle."
The answer was clear.
I was puzzled then,
to see his anger.
Oh!.... "My silly dearest," I said,
"show me the beginning
and the end
of that steering wheel.
My love's the same."

Niroshini Mangala Kumari Kodagoda

Modern art

The clique of people gathered around the painting about to be unveiled.
Champagne glasses clinked, as the artist displayed his creation.
Stunned silence filled the room.
Everyone was in awe. Suddenly, they burst into chatter.
"It's incredible," whispered one
"And the message it conveys" said another.
"I feel its vibes already"
" The witness symbolises peace....."
Meanwhile, a little boy was examining this masterpiece. "But," his voice rose in puzzlement, "It's only a circle."
Everyone turned to look at him.
"Hush, Thomas!" snapped his mother. "It's abstract art...."
Saying so, she continued gazing raptly at the painting.

Aysha Reema

Life

You are born
Into the world
Your parents
Bring you up.
You turn five
You start schooling
You turn eighteen
You enter university
(But only if you are clever,
Or lucky,
Or whatever)
You find a job
You get married
You produce children
You raise your children
You become old
You die
Then it starts
All over again.....

Subha Ranaweera

Circle

The 'CIRCLE'
is
A thing of beauty
it
is
EVERYTHING
or
NOTHING !

S. Rajasingham

Circle of life

Bewildered by the array of crossroads and by–lanes, I stopped a passer – by for directions. In these times where brother knifes brother, the smile suprised me; had I been mistaken for another? "A grin overcame the smile. "A trishaw is the easiest way to navigate this city," she explained. A wave of her arm, an order to the driver, a hundred rupees thrust in my hands, another smile as she slipped into the crowd.

'Life is a circle; your actions circle back upon you.' After a lifetime mocking these words, there I was feverishly praying it was so.

Kavinda Agalawatte

Spinning circle

Dear old Dad When you peddle the bike With a box of Bread, In the wheels of the bike That turn and turn I see our lives Circling around The power of your Legs. I think for a moment That on the day your legs stop WiIll our Circle of life Spin Without the leg that I lost in the north? T.K. Weerarathne

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