NOMINATED BUT NOT AWARDED
-
Kamala
Wijeratne (Sri Lanka)
Your
novel is nominated.
The
letter said.
For
the prize Awarded for the best novel
Atrophy
it promised.
And a
handsome cash prize
Temptation
has no limits.
I go
in my glistening gold saree.
And
matching jewellery
And
take my place among the hopefuls.
My
heart makes an extra beat.
It is
exciting to be a winner.
Announcements
are made.
Citations
read.
My
heart thumps as the moment draws near.
And then I learn
Nominated
does not necessarily mean.
Awarded
I am
only one out of three.
Nominated
My
instinct is to get up and dash off.
Shame
and let down feelings over power me.
But
civilization holds me back.
Studied
behaviour.
Not
the heart but the head
Rule
you
I sit
back and clap for the winner.
I even
congratulate and kiss her.
As she
passes me.
I’ll
have learnt the difference between awarded and nominated.
Next
time I will not go into ecstasies when they write.
YOU
ARE NOMINATED.
****