A special star in our galaxy

Sir Arthur C. Clarke

A son of the West, you came to our land,
Charmed by the beauty of this emerald isle,
Lured by the relics of a historic past,
A culture nourished by a religion great.

England’s riches you left behind, her winter cold and bleak,
For green and vibrant Sri Lanka, her sun-kissed golden beach,
Wrote great books, had your visions, dreamt your magical dreams,
In this jewel-like tropical isle, fabled Taprobane.

Your amazing skills and talent rare a delighted world acclaims,
Yet in our remote island small you chose to spend your days,
Two-score years you were with us, our joys and sorrows you shared,
Countless deeds of benevolence showed you deeply cared.

You surely were born and did dwell, in ages now long past,
On this same Sri Lankan soil, your second motherland –
As a prince, a monarch, or perhaps an artist great,
An eminent role you surely played in our proud heritage.

Let age not wither your creative power, your splendid intellect,
May your days ahead be full of cheer, may you enjoy good health,
Exploring worlds yet unborn, revealing wonders yet unknown,
You are indeed another luminous star in our Galaxy!

By Nalini Colonne, (This tribute was written when he was alive)