Forty-Year Millstone

By Lynn Ockersz

It’s been over four decades,

Since the torching and gutting,

Of the Jaffna Public Library,

That venerable Beacon of Light,

For Asia and the world at large,

And the shame continues to well,

In the hearts of the righteous,

Over the fascist-inspired tragedy,

But it’s not too late, it’s plain,

To put things right fully,

By offering a hand of humanity,

To the people thus savaged,

And telling them that never again,

Will bigotry be allowed to reign,

In this isle of a plural identity….

And this is no formidable task,

For nation-builders genuine,

Who must stand up and be counted.