I, Earth

I'm so cold, so lonely

green specks of salt

far, far away... spinning

perpetual dread of falling

I never do.

Only my little white dog

for company, prancing

endless rings about me

always face turned

towards me, happy

unlike his master.

I'm the third

in a family of nine

but my siblings

they never write... nor speak

nor break this torment

of silent passage

(little brother, I weep for you).

Writhing maggots on my

living skin... digging

my once healthy  body

putrefying, shaved, scarred

sores crusted with pus

erupting worms, tumours.

Help me Mother!

...but you cannot

I'm beyond reach

on my own now.

All I have is the fire

you gave me, I

hold like a dream

warming my heart, where

the maggots can't reach.

I, Earth

- Copyright © Sandaruwan Madduma Bandara

Written for poetry seminar

Franklin & Marshall College, 1994

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About Sanda

Sandaruwan Madduma Bandara is the CEO of 3CS (www.3cs.lk), Sri Lanka's Premier web design company. He has a range of interests including creative writing, photography, art and travel. He is also a voracious reader.