Beginning of silence

Lanka grieves in silence
For a freedom that is gone
No more can her people –
Reflect, speak or write
Without fear.
Along with peace she wanted
Freedom –
How can one come without the other?
Motor bikes and masked riders
Along with white vans
Minus number plates
Are replacing the terrorist bombs.
Today when traffic halts
Neither politician nor school child
Is safe.
How can there be protection
Within an arm of silence?

Punyakante Wijenaike, Colombo