☛ We are inviting submission in the field of literature and literary theory in the form of article, book review, poem, short story, travelogue and interview for our regular April issue (Vol. 6, No. 2). The last date for submission is 31 March, 2025.

NOMINATED BUT NOT AWARDED

 


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.

 

****