LECHCHUMI

Here lies unknown Lechchumi

Under the Tea Bushes, green and shady

From where she came and where she went

None cared to know how her life was spent.

Rise to the beat of Tom Toms in misty morn

Wrapped in a ‘ Kambili ’ to keep her warm

To the ‘ Perettu ‘ she walks to earn her wage

Sun or rain, to her is the same.

Up the hills and down the dales

Every Tea Bush she touches with eager face

Her fingers go clip clap plucking the leaves

When the basket is full, in smiles she beams.

The shouts of ‘SInna Durai’ ‘Kangani’ Kanakapullay’

She is accustomed to that endless symphony

She bears all these for the love of her brood

The naked children await her return with eager looks

When day’s work is done, she hastily walks

To her ‘Line Room ‘ for her household chores

Lovingly she pats her dog, cat and hens that lay

The only leisure and pleasure she gets for the day.

Sitting, Dining, Bedroom all in one, except the ‘Lat’

The floor is swept to spread her mat

A tin contains her savings of rupees and cents

The world revolves in this room ‘ Ten by Ten ‘

Ebony coloured skin, tanned in sun and rain

Her lips are red with betel stains

Hair parted with ‘Pottu’ on her radiant face

She looks a beauty on a ‘Thai Pongal’  day.

Huddled in this room she goes to sleep

With her brood and pets around her feet

Thus, ends the day with no regrets

With daily duty duly done to her ability best.

Far away from her homeland now she rests,

After her blood, tears and sweat she had shed

Offering her bones and flesh to nourish her, alien soil

For prosperity and peace of this beautiful Isle.

Her blood runs in our country’s veins

And her toils were for our national gains

Future generations could live without need

For she had left a fortune in a ‘CUP OF TEA ‘

Let not racists speak and look with scorn

As one to the world, lowly born

She has played her part with a struggled life

Let us be grateful and not unkind.

When she is judged on the Judgement Day

She would head the list for sacrifices made

For her merits are boundless and sins are less

Her place in Heaven is assured, with eternal bliss.

G.A.D.Sirimal.