Manel Gunatillake Poet Free verse

Risen From the Mud

A tribute to Sri Lanka Gold medalist  Susanthika 
 

A  Lotus bud was hidden in the mud of a jungle stream 

Dark skin, curly hair
Black mare runs
Against the wind
Across the fields
On the rocks
In the jungle
Barefoot
Barefoot

Thorns prick her little feet
No cry, No sighs
Bones protruding scar face,
Rewards  of starvation
Her childhood
Had to run miles to school
Barefoot
Barefoot

She rose from the mud
To the national games
No spikes, no sandals
Barefoot
Barefoot
Our black mare
Ran across the Oceans
To Sydney Olympics
Like an arrow, against the wind
Rose for the nation




in the contest Girl Rising

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Karen Anglesey August 9, 2013 at 11:32 AM I am honored to read your beautiful and awe inspiring poem... this gave me spectacular goose bumps up and down my spine... Such awesome work

Debbie Guzzi August 7, 2013 at 6:43 PM An inspiring woman & verse. Congrad's on your win. Light & Love Manel Gunatillake August 7, 2013 at 11:27 PM Thank you Debbie

Richard Lamoureux August 5, 2013 at 7:36 PM Way to go Manel, a well deserved win. Thanks for your entry. Manel Gunatillake August 5, 2013 at 7:49 PM Thank you dear Richard. It was you who won, because you helped me to rise

Donna Jones August 5, 2013 at 5:21 PM Awesome and vivid images.... congratulations..... Manel Gunatillake August 5, 2013 at 7:47 PM Thank you Donna

Eileen Manassian August 5, 2013 at 12:32 PM VERY POWERFUL WRITE, MANEL! Wow. The imagery is beautiful. What a superb dedication. Congrats on your well deserved win! :) Manel Gunatillake August 5, 2013 at 7:47 PM Thank you dearest Eileen

Suzanne Delaney August 5, 2013 at 11:01 AM Congratulations Manel A beautiful account of a girl rising. As a child in Queensland we always played barefoot. Your feet do toughen to the terrain. Thanks for this memory. SuZ Manel Gunatillake August 5, 2013 at 11:43 AM Thank you Suz Dear, Thank you all soupies

Cherie Thomas August 5, 2013 at 10:23 AM Congratulations manel...excellent win:) Manel Gunatillake August 5, 2013 at 11:42 AM Thank you dearest Cherie

Shadow Hamilton August 5, 2013 at 9:51 AM Manel Will yet again wins super poem congrats on your win Shadow x smiles Manel Gunatillake August 5, 2013 at 11:42 AM Thank you Shadow

Skat A August 5, 2013 at 9:49 AM :-) Congratulations!!! ~SKAT~ Manel Gunatillake August 5, 2013 at 11:42 AM Thank you dear SKAT

Poet Destroyer A August 5, 2013 at 9:01 AM Manel, ... Congratulations in Richard's "Girl Rising." contest.... always *LINDA Manel Gunatillake August 5, 2013 at 11:41 AM Thank you PD and my Soup friends. It is your inspiration and guide for my win. Thank you

Judy Konos July 28, 2013 at 9:21 AM Hello this is simply lovely but you entered it in the wrong contest 'Home Foreclosure" You need to withdraw it and re enter it in Richard's contest, Girl Rising. Thank you Judy Konos Manel Gunatillake August 5, 2013 at 11:39 AM Thank you

Cherie Thomas July 26, 2013 at 11:28 AM This poem bought back memories of when I was a child visiting my moms family in jamaica and I would always admire how people walked barefoot on the roads to get water, efortlessly on the jagged rocks. I love sri Lanka, journey amazing write manel Mutabaruka a poet from jamaica, has not worn shoes in 3 decades. He feels, Walking barefoot, keeps you grounded not just to the earth, but reminds you of who you are & where you come from love this poem thankyou..cherie Manel Gunatillake July 26, 2013 at 11:43 AM Thank you Dearest Cherry. I suppose in warm countries like Jamaica, Sri lanka etc, if you wear covered shoes all the time like you do in cold countries, you might develop fungal diseases. that may be why our people mostly wear slippers. But as you say bare foot is good for your health. i can recall an incident where i saw a well dressed in a lungi, upper middle class lady walking to a posh shopping mall bare foot, Thank you for your encouraging comments

Mustapha Mohammed July 26, 2013 at 11:01 AM I really felt this poem Manel.You write beautiful.

John Loving Iii July 26, 2013 at 8:56 AM Barefoot. I know what you mean. We wore shoes and were amazed. Manel Gunatillake July 26, 2013 at 9:14 AM Most of the Asians walk barefoot even now. It is told that, walking barefoot strengthens and stretches the muscles, in your feet, ankles and calves .Thanks for your comments

Richard Lamoureux July 26, 2013 at 6:30 AM This one gave me chills, I am so proud of you. Thianks for entering my contest. Manel Gunatillake July 26, 2013 at 6:37 AM thank you for inspiring me Dear Richard