June and Winsome <br />sit side by side <br />like Ceylonese figurines, <br />with their thin straight hair, <br />flawless oriental skin <br />and cumbersome bodies <br />draped in bright colours. <br /> <br />They speak of jalapeno chillies <br />(cheap from Safeway) <br />of watalapams and string-hoppers, <br />of stew with coconut sambal. <br />Their voices are cultured <br />without being pretentious, <br />their eyes bright <br />without spectacles. <br /> <br />We kiss goodbye <br />lightly on both cheeks. <br />Their hands are cool. <br />Their Sri Lankan heritage <br />clings like perfume. <br />They have seduced my eyes <br />and inspired my pen.<br /><br />Alison Cassidy<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/sri-lankan-widows/
